- Monday, 02 April 2018 11:12
- Written by David Pipe
Above: Mr Big Shot will be entered at Aintree
Although the weather has been horrendous during the past few weeks forcing the abandonment of several meetings and causing bottomless ground at others, we were still able to enjoy a bit of racing that bookended the beginning and end of the last seven days. Though we were unable to notch a winner, we achieved several placings with Delface finishing runner-up at Taunton last Monday, while Tobacco Road, River Dun and Abracadabra Sivola all finished fourth, the last named in the final of the Challenger staying chase series.
- Monday, 26 March 2018 16:00
- Written by David Pipe
Last week was a quiet one on the runners front with only four racecourse representatives, although I am pleased to report that they all ran well without exception with the success of Rathlin Rose (pictured above) in the veteran’s handicap chase at Ascot on Sunday the highlight of the week. I have long advocated these races – the horses are great favourites with racegoers and they provide a lucrative pot for these grand old stagers to compete for without fear of a potential improver lurking at the foot of the weights.
- Monday, 19 March 2018 15:43
- Written by David Pipe
Well, Cheltenham is done with for another year and while I was disappointed to leave empty-handed for only the third time since taking out my training licence in 2006, I was in pretty good company owing to the Irish carving up the majority of the races. Even so, many of the Pond House runners performed creditably and there were plenty of positives to take from this year’s Festival.
- Monday, 12 March 2018 16:07
- Written by David Pipe
I am sure that with the start of the Cheltenham Festival now less than 24 hours away, you will excuse me if this week’s offering is somewhat shorter than usual. Suffice to say there are many last minute logistics that need to be taken care of, while I will also be at Taunton this afternoon to saddle my runners there so it really is all go, go, go!
- Monday, 05 March 2018 16:43
- Written by David Pipe
With Cheltenham now only a week away it is looking like a very low key build-up to the Festival as far as the Pond House team is concerned. Hardly surprising given the storms and snow blizzards of last week, but we did manage to have one runner on the all-weather, while this week is looking similarly quiet. Hopefully the ground will dry out sufficiently for there to be some jumps action at the weekend, with Sandown’s two day Imperial Cup fixture in particular being one that I always look forward to.
- Monday, 26 February 2018 16:29
- Written by David Pipe
We are approaching the final countdown to the Cheltenham Festival now and with only two weeks left to go until the biggest four days in jump racing, the preview season is now upon us. Indeed, as usual I will be featuring on the panels at Exeter and Taunton racecourses on 6th and 9th March respectively and they are normally informative and entertaining affairs. Furthermore, they benefit good causes so I would encourage anyone who has not been before to take a look – details can be found on their websites.
- Monday, 19 February 2018 17:02
- Written by David Pipe
With Cheltenham now only three weeks away, I remain pleased with the form of the horses. Indeed, with three winners last week taking our tally to 26 and a whole host of other creditable performances, I am very much looking forward to getting the four biggest days on the jumps calendar underway. With most of the trials now behind us and the bulk of the preparation done, it is now more a case of keeping the horses ticking over.
