- Monday, 30 December 2013 18:38
- Written by David Pipe
Well, Christmas is over and done with for another year – I have overindulged on turkey and chocolates but the kids were spoiled rotten and had a nice time, so that is the main thing. We had a quiet Christmas before heading off to Kempton for the King George meeting on Boxing Day where we had high hopes for our dashing grey Dynaste. Sadly Santa didn’t deliver the big race winner that we had craved.
The day had started off in the best possible manner with the victory of Heath Hunter (pictured above) in the 2m1f novices’ hurdle at Sedgefiled. Our six year old made all under a 7lbs penalty to win in good style by ten lengths and the same under Tom Bellamy and enhance his record to four wins from five starts. He is a tough and genuine individual and should continue to flourish, although chasing will be his game further down the road. Fortunately the fog had lifted just enough for the meeting to take place, although you really couldn’t see much of the action. Unsurprisingly Tom Bellamy chose this opportunity to tell me that he had given the horse an amazing ride!
Back to the King George though and we had been optimistic of a big run from Dynaste on the back of his excellent second to Cue Card in the Betfair Chase at Haydock but sadly it was not to be. Tom Scudamore was never really happy aboard our son of Martaline and he was one of the first beaten, eventually coming home in fifth place. The next morning he was sore behind. He has had treatment from Mary Bromiley and will continue to do so. We will wait for him to come right again before looking further ahead.
Dynaste wasn’t the only high profile horse to disappoint over the Christmas holidays as previously unbeaten Sprinter Sacre also failed to give his running in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton the following day. Nicky Henderson’s champion chaser was found to have an irregular heartbeat which has reportedly rectified itself – I certainly hope so as it is horses such as him that generate public interest in the sport…the flat had Frankel and the jumps has Sprinter Sacre. I see that he is still being quoted at odds-on to retain his Cheltenham crown in March and while his condition is treatable, the bookies aren’t appearing overly generous despite the Festive season!
Onto this week and we will have one runner at Uttoxeter tomorrow (Tuesday) when former Cheltenham Festival runner-up Notus de la Tour takes in the 2m4½f handicap hurdle. Notus was also placed in Grade One company over fences and has been unlucky with injuries subsequently. He has now slipped to a reasonable looking mark (of 126) and hopefully he will be able to show a bit more of his old sparkle under Conor O’Farrell.
There should be some good action to look forward to on New Year’s Day and the stable has entries at both Cheltenham and Exeter (although the latter card has to pass a 9am inspection tomorrow). Close House, who was a faller when still close up behind Oscar Whisky and Wonderful Charm at Cheltenham last time. He has schooled well since his fall and will take his chance at Cheltenham once again.
At the weekend, the Tolworth hurdle at Sandown looks like being a real humdinger. Among the fourteen strong entries, the stable has Grade One winner The Liquidator, who is unbeaten in two starts over timber. The race should certainly provide a few clues to the novices’ events for the Festival in March.
Away from racing I did promise to bring you any gossip from the annual Christmas party but it would seem that I have the most well behaved staff in racing as there really is nothing newsworthy to report! This year’s event took place at the Beambridge Inn, a couple of miles down the road from the yard and the workforce enjoyed food, drink and a disco before being ferried home by Rodi Greene in his ‘Greene Machine’. Thank you to everyone involved in organising an enjoyable night out…
We will be having a quiet one for New Year – I am normally in bed long before Big Ben tolls, but I would like to wish all of my readers a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. As always, you can keep up to date with all the other news from the stable by visiting Chester’s daily chat or following us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing.
