- Monday, 21 September 2015 15:53
- Written by David Pipe
Last week was one of extreme emotions. On the one hand the horses continued in fine form with three winners including Low Key’s splendid Cesarewitch Trial success on the flat at Newmarket, while on the other hand we mourned the sad passing of long standing patron Lady Hilda Clarke.
I would like to begin this week by offering my deepest condolences to the family of Lady Hilda Clarke who passed away last Wednesday. Lady Hilda, who was the wife of the late Sir Stanley Clarke carried on her husband’s racing legacy after his passing in 2004 and enjoyed considerable success with over one hundred victories in her name. She really was a lovely, inspirational lady who was unfailingly kind and always had time for people. I was delighted to see her at Uttoxeter racecourse only a couple of weeks ago, looking well and as enthusiastic as ever.
It was my great privilege to have known her and to train horses for her, while my father also enjoyed considerable success for Sir Stanley and Lady Clarke with the likes of Rolling Ball, Lord Relic and Honest Word just a few of the high quality horses to have been trained here at Pond House. Her passing marks another very sad day for racing.
On a more positive note, the week started in the best possible fashion with the success of Spending Time (pictured right) in the 3m2½f handicap hurdle at Stratford on Monday. He is a horse that was sent to us from Colin Tizzard’s having proven somewhat disappointing and since his arrival I don’t mind telling you he has given me one or two sleepless nights as well! For all that he is a fine specimen of a horse, he has more than his share of problems and as such victory at Stratford was extremely satisfying. He seemed to handle the rain-softened ground well and saw out the marathon trip in determined fashion as he was comfortably on top close home. Indeed, such was the manner of victory he could follow-up although I would be far from confident about it. He has the physical stamp of a chaser and that could be where we head with him before long.
Purple ‘N Gold was far from disgraced on his second start over fences when competing in the handicap at Kelso on Wednesday. Following his previous Worcester win he was given a career-high mark of 129 and he performed with credit to finish third, giving lumps of weight to those around him. He rarely runs a bad race and there will be other days for him.
A little closer to home, Skylander (pictured top) was on the mark in the 2m5½f handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot on Friday. He wasn’t beaten at all far when second at Perth on his previous outing over three miles and this drop back in trip proved just what the doctor ordered. He didn’t get the smoothest of passages but responded well when the openings finally came and he stayed on well to score by a short head under Kieron Edgar.
Things were to get better still on Saturday when our solitary runner, Low Key (pictured left) made the long journey to Newmarket well worthwhile with an impressive success in the Cesarewitch Trial over 2m2f. We were far from certain that he was going to stay this marathon trip, but he seemed to appreciate every yard as he quickened 3 ½ lengths clear of his rivals under 
champion apprentice elect Tom Marquand.
He picks up a 4lbs penalty for this success that not only improves his chance of getting into the final line-up for the Cesarewitch itself next month, but it also puts him on a nice weight at the foot of the handicap on 8-0 (providing the current top weights stay in). The Ces is the obvious target for him and all things being equal he will take his chance there and I would like to think that young Tom will be aboard him for that. I have finished second and third in the Cesarewitch in the past with Mamlook and I would dearly love it if this fellow could go one better.
Once again there appears to be something of a dearth of jump racing action this week with no National Hunt fixtures today (Monday) and only one meeting per day thereafter. We will not have any runners tomorrow at Warwick, although we will be travelling back across the border for the two day Perth fixture on Wednesday and Thursday with Impulsive American and Border Breaker likely runners for their Scottish connections, while we do have a number of other possible runners there.
Entries for later in the week remain fluid with possible runners at Worcester on Friday and an entry for Purple ‘N Gold in the Listed handicap hurdle at Market Rasen on Saturday (a race that he finished runner-up in last year). We will evaluate all options and choose the best opportunities and as always Chester will bring all the latest news on runners in his daily chat or you can follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing.
Finally, I would just like to spare a word for jockey Robert Thornton who has formally announced his retirement from the saddle today following ongoing issues with his health. He has been a top class rider for many years and I still remember him coming through the ranks with the late David Nicholson as a young amateur before forming a very successful relationship as stable jockey with Alan King. Congratulations on a marvellous career and we wish you every success with your future ventures.
