Another Good Week

As we approach the end of January I am pleased to report that the horses remain in good order and continue to perform creditably on the racecourse. Another three runners last week bears testament to this and our seasonal tally now stands at 80. Indeed, my parents have just returned from their holidays and during their absence the Pond House team have enjoyed nine successes…perhaps I should ask them to go on holiday a little more often? I don’t think my mother would mind, although my father may have other ideas!

There was a big day on Saturday with Cheltenham hosting their dry run for the Festival and there were a number of creditable performances from the Pond House team, not least from Un Temps Pour Tout who I thought ran a cracker to be beaten less than three lengths behind Saphir du Rheu in the Cleeve Hurdle on his first start over three miles. This was his first foray into top company against seasoned campaigners and I thought that he acquitted himself very well; particularly considering this was his first start since Punchestown last May. He is fully entitled to improve for the run and that has to offer encouragement that he holds viable claims in the World Hurdle at the Festival - he may well have one more start between now and then.

Of course, the main talking point heading into Trials Day was which race Dynaste was likely to participate in come the Festival. He was sent off favourite for the Betbright Cup over 3m1½f on Saturday but unfortunately the race did not really provide a satisfactory test at the trip and seemed to raise as many questions as it answered. Once again, Dynaste (pictured right) performed with credit but was unable to overhaul the improving Hennessy winner Many Clouds on the run-in, finishing third beaten less than two lengths. I certainly wouldn’t say he was beaten for stamina, although it is pertinent that his best performances have come over slightly shorter. With that in mind he is more likely to line up in the Ryanair Chase in March, although I am sure we will keep the Gold Cup option open until the last moment and not make a definitive decision until nearer the time.

Talking of the Cheltenham Festival I have been asked on a number of occasions what we are likely to do with Moon Racer, who was such a deeply impressive bumper winner over course and distance back in October. There seems little point sending him over hurdles at this point in the season, so he has been given an intentional break since and is being prepared for a tilt at the Champion Bumper. I am pleased with him and he will head straight to Cheltenham.

Entries closed for the Arkle, National Hunt Chase (the four miler for amateur riders), the RSA Chase and the JLT last week. For the Arkle we entered Sail By The Sea who made a satisfactory chase debut in a hot race at Plumpton recently and will have come on for the experience – it is a race we won last year with Western Warhorse for owner Roger Brookhouse and I would love lightning to strike twice!

Broadway Buffalo and Smiles For Miles are our representatives in the NH Chase – both have plenty of stamina and Smiles For Miles in particular deserves a chance in better company having won three times already this term. Kings Palace is our only entry in the RSA Chase and I would imagine that will be his most likely target despite also holding an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. We have no entries in the JLT Chase.

Looking back to the beginning of last week and we started off in the best possible style with a winner for Brocade Racing at Exeter courtesy of Herbert Park (pictured above) and Tom Scudamore. He battled really bravely after the penultimate flight to reel in a well-touted runner from the Nicholls camp. Now the winner of a bumper and a hurdle from just three starts, he is progressing at a rate of knots and is another promising individual who will make a lovely chaser in time.

Rathlin Rose was the ready winner of the three mile novices hurdle at Fakenham on Thursday and looks a progressive stayer in the making, while Twentytwo’s Taken made a winning debut for the stable later on the card on her first start over timber. Despite taking a fair hold, she had enough in reserve to win cosily and enhance her record to three wins from four starts. Her owner loves having mares in training and he has a nice one here – there is an excellent programme for mares now thanks to the support of OLBG and it is not hard to imagine her competing in those races before long.

Looking to the week ahead, we have had runners at Ludlow and Plumpton this afternoon (Monday), while we will have five runners at Taunton tomorrow. Bella, Barneby, For ‘N’ Against, Allezanna and Border Breaker all contest the novices’ hurdle at our local track which has been split into two divisions. There are plenty of other possible runners later in the week at Towcester , Wincanton, Chepstow, Ffos Las and Sandown, while Kings Palace could make his much anticipated final run before the Festival at Wetherby on Saturday where he is engaged in the Grade Two Towton novices’ chase. There are a couple more options open to him so we will keep an eye on the ground and the competition and decide where to go later in the week. In the meantime, as usual all the latest news from around the yard can be found in Chester’s Daily Chat or by following us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing.