- Monday, 18 May 2015 14:15
- Written by David Pipe
They say that a week is a long time in politics; well it would appear that the same is true of horse racing! The process of running horses in France was proving quite an exasperating experience during the middle of the week, yet the glorious success of Ballynagour in Saturday’s French Champion Hurdle Trial at Auteuil, the Grade 2 Prix de la Barka more than made up for the earlier tribulations, while a success on the domestic front meant that it was a week to savour.
Owing to a recent relaxation in the rules relating to overseas raiders competing in handicaps in France, it had long been my intention to have a couple of runners at Auteuil over the weekend with Ballynagour likely to be joined by either Dell ‘Arca or Katkeau. In the end I decided to send Katkeau over for a crack at Sunday’s Prix Wild Risk – a Listed 2m3½f handicap hurdle. Fairly much as anticipated he was allocated top weight and so the two horses departed in the horse box on Wednesday evening ahead of their long journey.
You can imagine my amazement therefore when I was informed that owing to the number of entries, Katkeau could be balloted out of his intended engagement…and so it transpired after declarations that he had been eliminated. The reason for his elimination? He had not been running in France! This seems to be an archaic way of deciding which horses can run. In Britain they quite rightly eliminate from the bottom of the handicap, ensuring that the best possible line-up compete for each race. It would seem that while the handicap rules in France have been relaxed, it is still very difficult to get a run. I am sure France Galop will look into this ruling.
Of course, the bottom line is that it is our responsibility to know the rules relating to these eventualities, although in all honesty it had never crossed my mind that a topweight could be balloted out of a handicap. It is the owners I feel most sorry for as they have to foot the bill for transporting the horse abroad, only to be disappointed. There is another opportunity for Katkeau at Auteuil on Friday so he has stayed in France and (hopefully!) he will get a run then.
Despair turned to joy on Saturday when Ballynagour ran out a most impressive winner of the Prix la Barka - the main trial for the French Champion Hurdle in three weeks’ time. In beating Willie Mullins’ Val de Ferbet and the best hurdlers that France could throw at him, he proved himself a leading contender for the big one itself. He has travelled well and is home safe and sound and providing he continues to please me in the coming days, I see no reason why he should not take his chance. Of course the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil will be tougher again with the likes of Hurricane Fly and Annie Power possible runners from the Mullins battalion, but he more than deserves his place in the line-up. We could also have another string to our bow with Aintree third Un Temps Pour Tout also an intended runner – what an exciting contest this is shaping up to be!
It was a quiet week on the domestic front, although Street Entertainer (pictured right) made the long journey up to Perth well worthwhile when cosily winning the feature handicap hurdle. He has been something of a stalwart for the stable in races such as this and has proved a real money spinner since we picked him up cheaply from the sales in 2010 – indeed this was his sixth success for us over timber, while he has also won on the flat. He is an ideal dual-purpose horse who also has the size and scope for fences – I would be glad of a few more like him. You may have noticed on my website that he was for sale to stay in the yard not very long ago and he is already looking something of a bargain for Sean and Josie Tracey. We do have other horses currently advertised for sale, so if you are interested in joining the ranks of owner at Pond House, what are you waiting for? Click here!
Aside from our winners, there were creditable performances to from Susie Sheep who finished runner-up at Towcester and can be found something soon before too long, while My Brother Sylvest ran yet another cracker to finish second at Market Rasen yesterday (Sunday). My Brother Sylvest has been running well all season without getting his head in front – the only trouble is that his handicap mark keeps creeping up. He will be kept on the go for now as the faster the ground, the better for him although opportunities for a horse of his ability are few and far between at this time of year.
Talking of opportunities, there is an excellent chance at Warwick on Wednesday for the four year old fillies when they host a Listed handicap hurdle with £40,000 on offer. The stable has Bella engaged in the race and she is an intended runner, especially as there were very few entries. The racecourse should be commended for putting on such a valuable contest, but unfortunately as far as they are concerned it is the wrong time of the year to be holding a big money contest for four year old fillies. Of course it does provide a lucrative opportunity for horses that wouldn’t normally contest such a race, but I am sure that is not what they were hoping to achieve and is something race planning should be looking into.
Looking to the rest of this week we have a couple of runners this afternoon at Towcester – Bathwick Man is an old favourite around the stable, while Vieux Lion Rouge was a very decent hurdler who makes his chasing debut this afternoon. He has always looked to be a chaser in the making and is an exciting addition to the novice ranks.
While we are on the subject, I have a few other quality hurdlers that could switch their attentions to the larger obstacles later this week. Alternatif who was recently an excellent second in the Long Distance Hurdle at Haydock and Rathlin Rose are engaged in chases at Southwell and Worcester, while we could have another go over the larger obstacles with Dell’ Arca who has an entry at Uttoxeter on Sunday – afterall his one length second to Coneygree isn’t looking too shabby now! As is the norm, we will look into each of the races to find the best opportunity for all of our entries so for all the latest running plans, do remember to keep up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat.
Finally, I would like to extend my congratulations to Gerry Supple and his partner Jo Buck on their engagement. The couple have been together many years now so I guess Jo does know what she is letting herself in for by accepting his proposal! Fantastic news and everybody at Pond House is thrilled for you.
