- Monday, 15 October 2012 17:53
- Written by David Pipe
The weather certainly took its toll on the jumps action again last week, foreshortening what had appeared likely to be a busy period for the stable. The rain had really managed to get into the going by Exeter’s meeting on Thursday and the ground was bottomless – we had a couple of runners in the conditional jockeys’ race and many of the field were struggling by halfway!
It was even worse for poor old Newton Abbot, who had to cancel yet another fixture this season following prolonged and torrential downpours leaving the course waterlogged in places. This was due to be their last fixture of the season, they do a great job at the course and deserve better so let’s hope that they have more fortune with the weather next year.
We had four runners in the Cesarewitch handicap at Newmarket on Saturday but unfortunately we drew a blank there with Martial Law coming home best of my quartet in ninth place. He had looked like being involved in the finish with a couple of furlongs to run, but just weakened close home. I know it sounds crazy in a 2m2f flat race with only one dogleg turn, but the draw wasn’t all that kind to three of our runners. There was a distinct bias at Newmarket last year which allowed Frankie Dettori to come down the middle/near side of the track and capitalise on a wide draw which unfortunately could not be replicated this time around. On a positive note, at least all of our runners returned safe and sound and there will be other opportunities for them.
Looking to the week ahead, I am looking forward to seeing Frankel (pictured right) run in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday in what in all likelihood is going to be his last racecourse appearance. I hope that he is able to produce a dominant performance that will see the official handicappers raise his already lofty rating of 140 and confirm him as an all-time great. I will not be there as I will be attending the meeting at Cheltenham although I will try to find a television to view it!
I can’t wait for the new season at Cheltenham to get underway. A winner anywhere is nice, but it is all the more special when it happens at the home of National Hunt racing. We won’t be inundated with runners as we have entries in three of the races on the card on Friday, and a couple on Saturday but it will be nice just to be a part of it all once again. We have plenty of entries at the other tracks this week including Huntingdon, Wetherby, Uttoxeter, Wincanton, Kelso and Kempton. To find out all of the latest news on our runners you can keep up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat.
To help mark the beginning of Wincanton’s new season I will be among a number of trainers parading some horses before racing so it will be well worth attending. We will be sending Grands Crus’ full brother, bumper winner Gevrey Chambertin to parade along with high class hurdler/chaser Notus de la Tour.
Meanwhile Grands Crus, winner of the Grade One Feltham Chase will be parading at Kempton on Sunday, while I will be participating in a questions and answers forum. I am a great believer in trying to promote our sport and if such events can help to bring more people through the turnstiles it has to be a positive move and I am more than pleased to contribute.
Tonight (Monday) the David Pipe XI participates in another high pressure football match as we take on the Philip Hobbs XI in Minehead. Gerry Supple once again dons the manager’s tracksuit and it should be an entertaining evening. Incidentally, Gerry will not be renewing his jockeys’ licence this season and has formally announced his retirement from race riding. He rode 79 winners during his career, most notably aboard Carryonharry in a valuable handicap chase at Kempton in 2002. Gerry will continue to ride out at Pond House where he continues to be an invaluable member of the Pond House team.
I won’t be able to attend the football as I will be hosting the Racing Post’s Ben Newton who is coming down to conduct the ever popular stable tour for the paper. The series always makes for an interesting read and will be out shortly, so keep your eyes peeled!
