The Week Ahead

After another week with (next to) no jump racing, it was certainly good to be back with runners at a couple of meetings yesterday (Sunday).  Although we didn’t hit the mark there were a couple of decent performances nonetheless from the likes of Purple ‘N Gold and Bathwick Man.  Purple ‘N Gold has been in good form on the level - he appeared to be an unlucky loser at Sandown and it looked as though he may prevail yesterday on his handicap debut over hurdles at Plumpton.

After another week with (next to) no jump racing, it was certainly good to be back with runners at a couple of meetings yesterday (Sunday).  Although we didn’t hit the mark there were a couple of decent performances nonetheless from the likes of Purple ‘N Gold and Bathwick Man.  Purple ‘N Gold has been in good form on the level - he appeared to be an unlucky loser at Sandown and it looked as though he may prevail yesterday on his handicap debut over hurdles at Plumpton.

Purple ‘N Gold travelled well into the straight under Tom Scudamore and I feel that barring a couple of scruffy jumps at the last two flights, he would have gone close to winning.  He may be one of those horses that needs everything to fall right, but he is clearly up to winning another race of this nature.

Bathwick Man holds no secrets from the handicapper but he always runs his race and was placed again yesterday at Uttoxeter having been set quite a bit to do by his young jockey Kieron Edgar.  I am sure given the opportunity again; Kieron would have ridden him a little differently.  The trouble is he is creeping up the weights again while not winning – he is thoroughly exposed so hopefully he will not be unduly punished by the official assessor for his consistency.

I have a couple more videos to bring you following broadcaster Mike Vince’s recent visit to Pond House.  Below you will find Mikey Ennis reflecting on a great season last term, while also talking about his hopes for the season ahead and giving us his horse to follow from the yard.  Mikey, who won the Midlands National aboard Big Occasion last season and finished runner-up aboard the same horse in the Scottish equivalent has just joined the professional ranks.  While he will not be able to ride in conditional jockeys’ races owing to his age he will still be able to claim his allowance against the other pros.  He is good value for his 7lbs allowance and hopefully there will be trainers out there who would like to use his services.  You will notice that Mikey is also quite a good talker so if all else fails; there could always be a career in television broadcasting to consider!

Mikey Ennis Horse To Follow 2013/14

Meanwhile, over at Chester’s Chat this week we have a video interview of owner Terry Neill.  Terry has been a supporter of the yard for many years and has had some wonderful horses running in his famous red and white colours including the likes of Gloria Victis, Cheltenham Festival winner Dark Stranger and ‘Whitbread’ winner Puntal.  Terry is a lifelong fan of Liverpool Football Club and will have been delighted by their promising start to the Premiership season…right up until they managed to get beaten by Southampton on Saturday – sorry Terry!

I reported last week that we hoped to be seeing conditional jockey Tom Bellamy back in the saddle this week but sadly it is not to be.  Tom, who broke his left femur in a bad fall at Taunton back in April has had a further operation to remove the plate in his leg.  I am told that the procedure was a success so hopefully he will be back with us in a couple of weeks.

Tomorrow we have a couple of runners at Newton Abbot – The Tracey Shuffle and Prime Location both take part in the 2m6f handicap hurdle.  The Tracey Shuffle hasn’t quite fulfilled the promise that he showed during the early part of his career and was a little disappointing when a beaten favourite at Fontwell last time.  On the pick of his form he looks reasonably treated but we are just going to have to see how he gets on under Tom Scudamore.  Our other runner, Prime Location will be partnered by last week’s interviewee, Anthony Fox who takes 10lbs off his back.

We are unlikely to have any runners at Perth on Wednesday although Togiak will contest the 1m4f handicap at Kempton on the same day and will be partnered by Cathy Gannon.  He has been disappointing since joining us, although his handicap mark has dropped as a consequence.  Later in the week we could run Lola Galli at Worcester on Friday.  She has finished placed in her last couple of bumper starts and could contest a similar contest here.  Meanwhile we have made entries for Basil Fawlty and My Brother Sylvest at Market Rasen on Saturday.

For all the rest of the news from around the yard and the latest on the stable’s runners keep up-to-date with Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing.