- Monday, 23 December 2013 15:44
- Written by David Pipe
As Christmas fast approaches I was delighted to record our 50th winner of the current campaign with Seven Nation Army’s success at Ascot on Friday. Last year we reached the milestone on Boxing Day so to get it out of the way before Santa comes is a welcome early present! Although there is no racing taking place on these shores between now and Boxing Day, there is still plenty to be done around the yard and little time to rest on our laurels. The staff Christmas party takes place tonight so I am sure there will be a few sore heads in the morning – if I hear of any gossip I will make sure to let you know next week!
Count Danilo started the week in good style with a ready success in the 2m4f National Hunt maiden hurdle at Fakenham on Tuesday. Although only a four runner race, it wasn’t without incident as our four year old gelding, having only his third lifetime start showed plenty of inexperience when twice jumping the path, Tom Scudamore doing well to sit tight on both occasions. I should give myself a pat on the back for finding a relatively modest opportunity for him, but the form should not be underestimated as Count Danilo had previously shown undoubted ability when a faller in an Irish point-to-point when holding every chance. He looks sure to relish further in time and can add to his tally for owner/breeder Brian Kilpatrick. It was great to see Mr Kilpatrick back in the winners’ enclosure – he has been a terrific advocate of Pond House through the years and has had many wonderful horses with us, notably Sabin du Loir, Aquilifer, Terao and Cache Fleur.
The horses continued to run well in the intervening days without quite getting their heads in front (Centasia and Great Choice finishing second and Pleasant Company third) before we recorded a timely double at Ascot on Friday. Tom Scudamore was seen at his very strongest to guide home Bygones Sovereign and Seven Nation Army in stirring finishes.
Bygones Sovereign put up a tenacious performance to win the handicap hurdle under a fine front running ride. Jumping superbly at the head of the field he kept responding when challenged and fought back bravely to score by a neck having been headed shortly after the last. This is about his level and he will find life tougher when the handicapper has had his say, although as he proved here, on his day he is a difficult horse to pass. One thing is for sure, judging by the way he jumped these hurdles, he will make an exciting ride over fences.
Seven Nation Army (pictured right) brought up our 50th winner of the campaign when gallantly landing the following race, a Listed bumper. On paper it looked like one of the best National Hunt flat races of the season so far and our four year old grey gelding improved again to score by a neck having looked likely to be swamped in the straight. He will make a smashing hurdler/chaser in time but in the meantime he could continue in bumpers and would not be out of place in the Festival bumper at Cheltenham come March.
Unfortunately we did not endure such good fortune on Saturday with Dell’ Arca being very unlucky in the feature Ladbroke Hurdle. He was still travelling comfortably at the back of the leading pack when unseating Tom Scu after another runner fell in front of him at the third last. He looked sure to be involved in the finish, although such was the manner of victory of Willow’s Saviour that it would be foolish to suggest he would have won. Still, there will be plenty of other days for our exciting four year old, a comment that sadly does not apply to Nicky Henderson’s Chatterbox who suffered a terminal injury. Condolences to all connected with him on his sad loss.
There will barely be time to let the Christmas turkey go down before we head off to Kempton for the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. We run Dynaste in the feature race and I cannot wait – it promises to be a Christmas cracker with most of the main protagonists from the Betfair Chase in opposition once again, along with the likes of Al Ferof. Dynaste delighted us with his run at Haydock when runner-up to Cue Card and there is no reason to think that he cannot be at least as effective on Thursday. He proved his liking for course and distance last year when running out the ready winner of the Grade One Feltham novices’chase, the torrential rain should not inconvenience him and his preparation has gone smoothly…let’s hope there are no hard luck stories to the race and everyone returns safely. Western Warhorse will be our other runner at Kempton on Boxing Day and he will be ridden, like Dynaste by Tom Scudamore.
We will be at five meetings in total on Thursday with Junior and Kilrye partnered by Conor O’Farrell at Wetherby, Heath Hunter and Border Breaker ridden by Tom Bellamy at Sedgefield, Garde Ville (Kieron Edgar) at Fontwell , and Alderluck (Mikey Ennis) at Ffos Las. It will certainly be a busy day and the logisitics of getting horses to all of those meetings takes some organising – hopefully the effort will be well rewarded!
Chepstow plays host to the Welsh National on Saturday – a race that the yard has a strong tradition in. This year we could well be represented by Goulanes, Ace High and Amigo – it will be a dour test of stamina if the rain keeps up although fortunately, that seems to be the strong suit of all three of our likely candidates.
We love to keep in touch with news about the horses that have been through the doors at Pond House and I can bring you an update on recently retired triple Grade One winner Bostons Angel who is now back home with his owners Gaie and Elder Scouller. As you can see from the video below, he looks tremendously well and on good terms with himself under Elder – a career in the ring showjumping could beckon…
As usual, you can keep up to date with all the latest news from the yard by seeing Chester’s Daily Chat (he doesn’t deserve a Christmas break!) or following us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing. All that is left to do is to wish you all a very happy Christmas and I will catch up with you again just before 2014!
