- Monday, 04 February 2019 15:08
- Written by David Pipe
The fixture list was once again affected by the severe weather during the course of last week. Indeed, temperatures at Pond House plummeted to -3°c during the daytime last Friday and we had 5 inches of snow descend upon us. Fortunately I have a dedicated team of staff who braved the elements to make it into work and look after and exercise their beloved charges…my grateful thanks to all of them for their efforts. With temperatures remaining low over the weekend the treacherous ice remained for a couple of days, whilst there is still a little snow on the surrounding hills now despite it being considerably milder.
- Monday, 28 January 2019 17:02
- Written by David Pipe
The weather was playing havoc with the fixture list again last week. Freezing temperatures meant that we were left with two days where there was no jump racing at all in this country and I see that there are weather warnings in place for the days ahead. Consequently we only had one runner last week, but he performed with credit and things are already looking busier for the week ahead (weather permitting!) with four runners at two meetings this afternoon (Monday).
- Monday, 21 January 2019 16:53
- Written by David Pipe
Unfortunately last week was a story of ‘what ifs’. Whilst the horses continued to perform well, we endured a somewhat frustrating run with a number of runners reaching the frame without quite getting their heads in front.
- Monday, 14 January 2019 17:00
- Written by David Pipe
Last week perfectly illustrated the up’s and down’s of our wonderful sport. It may be a little clichéd, but as the old saying goes the only certainty is the glorious uncertainty! Having suffered the low of a shock reversal for 1/14 chance Queens Cave (more on that later), only a couple of hours later we were celebrating a first success for one of jump racing’s staunchest supporters and most revered owners.
- Monday, 07 January 2019 16:51
- Written by David Pipe
The New Year is now upon us and with the Cheltenham Festival only nine weeks away I continue to be pleased by the form of the stable. Indeed, what better way to say goodbye to 2018 than with a winner at Uttoxeter and hello to 2019 with a double at Exeter on New Year’s Day?
- Monday, 31 December 2018 16:34
- Written by David Pipe
I hope you all enjoyed a great Christmas! With 2018 coming to a close I am pleased to be signing off the year with the horses in good form. Ramses de Teillee ran a cracker to finish a very creditable second in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow while many others also performed well to reach the frame. With Delface a winner on the last day of the year, I am looking forward to 2019, the remainder of the season and beyond.
- Monday, 24 December 2018 12:21
- Written by David Pipe
Well, Christmas is almost upon us once again and I am looking forward to enjoying the festivities with Leanne and the children. As is traditional, we will be joined for lunch by a few of the lads and lasses who won’t be going home for Christmas. I won’t be able to spend too much time relaxing however as the horses don’t know it is Christmas and still need to be fed and exercised. Then it is on to Boxing Day and I will be looking forward to getting back to the track.
- Monday, 17 December 2018 16:45
- Written by David Pipe
Last week was a good one for the yard with no fewer than three winners courtesy of Know The Score, Teaser and Umbrigado. With several others also reaching the frame I am pleased with the form of the stable as the Christmas and New Year period approaches. That is obviously good news at any time of the year, but with such a busy programme in the coming weeks there are going to be plenty of opportunities and hopefully a few more winners.
- Monday, 10 December 2018 14:57
- Written by David Pipe
Ramses De Teille Winner at Chepstow
I wrote last week’s offering on route to London for the Horse Writer’s Awards. Gerry Supple and I had a very enjoyable afternoon as guests of Mike Vince and there were some very worthy winners. Our runners at Plumpton that day also kicked off what has been a good week for the stable. Dusky Hercules has improved with each of his three career starts and made an encouraging debut over hurdles to finish fourth. The penny is slowly dropping and he has shown enough that he is capable of winning races. Duc De Beauchene bounced back from a disappointing effort last time to finish a staying on fourth. It was then great to be able to toast a winner from London. Eden Du Houx had won his sole start in an Irish point to point and put in a nice performance to win the bumper under Tom Scu. He had been pleasing me at home and it was nice to see him do it on the track. I won this bumper a few years ago with Kings Palace and although a different type of horse I hope this horse has a very bright future also.
- Monday, 03 December 2018 11:15
- Written by David Pipe
Today I write en route to London for the Sports Writers Awards. Myself and Gerry Supple make our annual pilgrimage to the capital as guests of Mike Vince. A thoroughly enjoyable occasion do doubt awaits as we toast the success of all those who portray our sport in writing and in pictures.
Unfortunately with our runners last week it was the case of the one that perhaps got away. I am referring to Extra Mag who jumped the last hurdle well in the lead up at Wetherby only to stumble and unship Tom Scu on the flat. Who knows what might have been but he seemingly looked like the winner of what was a very warm race on paper and the race itself lived up to the billing. There were some lovely novices in the line-up and one thing for sure is that we know our four year old is a very nice horse. We have always liked him at home since he came over from France. I bought him privately after seeing him over there but they have still got to go and do it on the track. Thankfully he seems fine after the race which is the main thing. We will now look for another low key novice or maiden hurdle before perhaps raising his sights slightly higher later down the line.
