A Day To Remember!

Excuse me paraphrasing an old Dinah Washington classic song, but rarely has a truer word been spoken than ‘What a diff'rence a day made, twenty-four little hours’.  Following a couple of what can only be described as disappointing days at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting, you can imagine the sense of relief when Home Run landed the first race of the final day, so to actually finish up as top trainer at the meeting with four winners almost beggars belief!

In the build up to Cheltenham the horses had been running well and I was pleased with the form of the yard.  We had enjoyed success for our stable sponsors Bathwick Tyres with Waterunder at Exeter on Wednesday and Weather Babe at Taunton on Thursday.  Waterunder caused something of a shock to defy topweight of 11-12 in a competitive looking handicap hurdle – he travelled well and stayed on strongly after the last to score under Tom Scudamore.

The following day Weather Babe, who was bred by Sarah Clifford showed a willing and likable attitude to land the mares’ handicap at Taunton despite making a couple of mistakes on the way round.  She has won three of her four starts since joining us at Pond House and looks to be well capable of winning again.

We headed into the Open Meeting on Friday fielding high hopes – we only had three runners on the first day, but we were responsible for two favourites, although neither Standing Ovation or Top Gamble were able to produce their best form…I am sure there will be other days for them.

On Saturday both Azza and Legacy Gold performed creditably to finish third in their respective races, although Goulanes, Ballynagaour and Edmund Kean could not be described as anything other than disappointing.  We know they are capable of better than this and they will have plenty of opportunities to prove just that.

Although I try not to get too disheartened, I was starting to worry that this was going to be a meeting I would want to forget…that is until Home Run (pictured right) opened the flood gates on Sunday.  To say he confounded me with his success is something of an understatement – he had a wonderful season last term, scoring on five occasions, but he has looked to be in the grip of the handicapper since (he was still some 6lbs higher than when last successful).  However, he revels with some cut in the ground and the going certainly appeared to be somewhat softer than the official good description.  Prominent throughout here under Kieron Edgar he found plenty for pressure despite proving a little wayward under pressure (again), holding our other runner Western Warhorse, who ran a cracker to finish a clear second best on his handicap debut – he will make a lovely three mile chaser in time.

The Liquidator (left) proved to be a facile winner of the Grade Two novices’ hurdle, although he may not have needed to be at his very best to defeat his three rivals including favourite Sea Lord.  He has a lovely attitude, jumps well and possesses plenty of speed for the minimum trip.  He can do no more than beat what is put in front of him and he will have learned plenty from this and experience of the track will prove invaluable further down the line.  He remains a very exciting prospect.

Professor Caroline Tisdall had to dig deep into her pockets when Dell’Arca (pictured top of page) went through the sales ring at Deauville back in July to secure this four year old son of Sholokhov for €280,000, but the investment looked well worth it with his first start for the stable resulting in a thrilling success in the Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle.  This was only his fourth race over hurdles but he dealt with the hurly burly of this utra competitive handicap admirably to run out a ready winner under a good ride from Tom Scudamore.  He can continue to improve with his racing and he will have to take in all the big two mile handicaps after this.  I should also give my secretary Gail Harrison a big pat on the back as this one was her selection in our recent stable staff interviews – I hope a few of you backed him at the rewarding odds of 12/1.

The curtain closed on the meeting with the poignant success of Red Sherlock (pictured right) in the Listed bumper.  Owned and bred by the very much missed David Johnson out of his cracking race mare Lady Cricket, we have always thought plenty of this half brother to Swing Bowler.  Given an enterprising ride by Timmy Murphy he battled on well to score and will now switch codes to hurdling.  He has had plenty of practice already and looks another exciting youngster for the stable.  Our four winners meant that I finished the meeting as top trainer – who would have thought that at the start of the day?!

With racing though, you can never rest on your laurels and it was back down to earth today with a single runner at Plumpton.  Tullyesker Hill maintained our excellent run of form with a ready success in the bumper under Tom Scu and is another who looks to have a decent future.

Tomorrow we have just the one runner, Lola Galli who takes in the mares’ bumper on the all-weather at Lingfield, while there are only a couple of entries on Wednesday at Warwick for Weather Babe and Famousandfearless.  We have plenty of entries later in the week at Wincanton and Market Rasen, Ffos Las, Ascot and Haydock and you can keep up to date with running plans for those meetings by visiting Chester’s Daily Chat (you can also follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing).

This morning we confirmed Dynaste for the five day stage of the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday and providing all goes well with preliminary tests in the meantime, he could well make his seasonal debut there.  It has the makings of a classic encounter with the likes of Bobs Worth, Silviniaco Conti, Long Run and Tidal Bay in opposition.  On the same card there is also the valuable Fixed Brush handicap hurdle that we have won a couple of times in the past with Grands Crus and Dynaste – at this stage we have Grands Crus’ brother Gevrey Chambertin left in along with Western Warhorse…it is certainly shaping up to be another exciting weekend!

Below is the final installment in our current series of staff interviews - today we meet young David Noonan who has just taken out his amateur riding license.  I am sure you will be hearing more about him in the future...

David Noonan 2013/14 Horse To Follow

Finally, I should make mention of a grand old campaigner who has run his last race.  We have decided to retire former Chester Cup winner Mamlook following his reappearance run at Nottingham at the end of last month.  He came back from that outing a little feelingly and it was decided that it was in his best interests to call it a day – he has been a wonderful servant, winning several races over hurdles and fences as well as scoring that memorable flat success at Chester (as well as finishing second and third in two runnings of the Cesarewitch).  I am sure he will enjoy a long and happy retirement.

The Fab Four! (l-r) The Liquidator, Dell' Arca, Red Sherlock & Home Run