- Monday, 27 October 2014 17:06
- Written by David Pipe
It’s all systems go now with the jump racing stepping up a gear not to mention the start of the Newmarket Horses In Training Sales commencing today for the next four days. There looks to be plenty of quality on offer and once again I have been burning the midnight oil searching for potential stars of the jump racing game to add to our team. I will be in attendance for the duration of the sale so if you would like to become a part of our family of owners, please do contact my office with your requirements. We have a proven history of finding the right horse for the right sort of money and with the world’s biggest horses in training sale currently taking place what better time to buy?
Of last week’s runners over jumps there were several noteworthy performances, although it was on the level where we enjoyed our solitary success. Low Key was a ready winner of the lady amateur riders’ handicap at Newbury under Alice Mills on his debut for the stable. That was our first winner from a limited number of runners on the level.
Of our jumpers I thought that Vieux Lion Rouge ran a solid race to finish a close third in the very competitive Silver Trophy handicap hurdle under Tom Scudamore at Chepstow on Saturday. Other than at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, this was his first venture into handicap company and his first start in over six months. He stuck to his task well and is entitled to come on for the run – he looks as though he will stay even further in time and there are plenty of exciting opportunities in all the top handicaps over the coming months.
Although only second at Aintree yesterday (Sunday) I firmly believe that Unanimité remains one of the leading juvenile hurdlers seen out so far this season. Sunday’s four runner contest was not run to suit with none of his rivals keen to make the running, leaving Scu to make his own pace – he still looked the likeliest winner jumping the last until he was collared close home. He was beaten by a useful rival to whom we were conceding 4lbs. Granted a strongly run race, I see no reason why he should not improve further and confirm the exciting first impression he created at Market Rasen on his hurdling debut.
The next runners from the stable come tomorrow at Windsor on the flat courtesy of Dalgig and For ‘N’ Against who makes his racecourse debut in the bumper at Ffos Las. Dalgig was claimed from Jamie Osborne after winning at Windsor earlier in the month – he makes his first start for the Pond House team over the same course and distance and will be partnered by Mikey Ennis who claims a handy 7lbs off his back. He should appreciate the rain softened ground and should perform creditably. Meanwhile bumper runner For ‘N’ Against has pleased us at home, although he will learn plenty for this experience - he will be partnered by Tom Scudamore.
Later in the week we are likely to have plenty of runners. A Hairy Koala could run at Taunton on Wednesday, while debut bumper winner Bengali could bid to follow-up at Worcester (also on Wednesday). We also have a number of entries at Sedgefield, Stratford, Uttoxeter, Wetherby, Ascot, Carlisle and Huntingdon for the remainder of the week. The highlight of the weekend action looks to be the 3 mile Grade Three United House Gold Cup at Ascot on Saturday – a race the stable has won in the past with the likes of Wahiba Sands. We have entered both Bangor scorer Gevrey Chambertin (pictured above) and recent Cheltenham runner-up Standing Ovation. Gevrey Chambertin should be well suited by the step up in trip, while Standing Ovation ran a cracking race first time out and is entitled to have benefitted for the race. As usual, you will find all of the latest news on the stables’ runners in Chester’s Daily Chat.
There are big race entries closing tomorrow for the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham’s November meeting as well as the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. I have been fortunate enough to have won all three of these great races during my career and I will be doing my best to do so once again. I will bring you more news on those engagements in next week’s blog.
Finally, I am pleased to bring you the latest installment in our series of videos with members of the Pond House team. Mike Vince caught up with amateur jockey David Noonan and talked with him about his hopes for the season ahead as well as ask him for a horse to follow over the coming months.
