- Monday, 21 December 2015 16:32
- Written by David Pipe
This is my final blog before Christmas and I can barely believe that with less than a week before the big day we are experiencing temperatures in the mid-teen’s…so much for the coldest winter in thirty-odd years! Even so, the weather is still taking its toll on the fixture list with the seemingly endless rain in the north of the country meaning meetings are being abandoned due to waterlogging rather than frost.
The stable enjoyed a couple of winners on the week, while there were others to run creditably without quite managing to get their heads in front. We travelled to Ludlow on Wednesday for their valuable fixture and I was delighted to walk away with the three mile handicap chase courtesy of Katkeau (pictured above). Jumping well (if a little left) he travelled well through the race and easily disposed of the leader on his way to a convincing five length victory. This was no mean performance on only his second start over fences and under the burden of top weight. He has had a whole host of problems over the years and is now repaying the great patience displayed by his ever enthusiastic owners. He is already a better chaser than hurdler and his assured jumping will certainly stand him in good stead. He is long on stamina and it is not difficult to envisage him becoming a candidate for the marathon National-type races in the future.
Talking of Ludlow, I would like to congratulate them on the fantastic prize money that they managed to secure for this fixture. When you consider that Newbury, a Grade One track was hosting a card on the same day yet were only offering approximately half the prize money it highlights the extent of the achievement. Ludlow deserve a big pat on the back – they are an excellent example of how a smaller course should be run. On the same day we had a rare flat runner on the all-weather at Lingfield and I was pleased to see Honeymoon Cocktail begin to deliver on some of the promise of his French form by landing the 1m4f apprentice jockeys handicap under a good ride from Rob Hornby. The race probably didn’t take an awful lot of winning with three non-runners but I was encouraged to see him see out the longer trip well. He did more than enough to suggest that he can go well in something similar although I hope the handicapper will take into account the nature of this race when reassessing him. His attention will be switched to hurdles at some point.
Of our other runners last week the likes of Heath Hunter and What A Moment both ran well in defeat and look capable of getting their heads in front before long, while Dynaste was disappointing in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday. He is clearly better than that effort and the main thing is that he is sound and well – he will be returned to fences for his next outing.
Looking to this week, the stable has no runners today (Monday) while tomorrow’s jumps card at Bangor has already been lost due to waterlogging. Following that there is the usual Christmas break so our next runners will come at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Un Temps Pour Tout is an intended runner in the Grade One Feltham novices’ chase – a race we have won previously with the likes of Grands Crus and Dynaste and I see no reason why he should not go very well. He should be suited by three miles on a sharp track like this, while the ground cannot be soft enough for him.
The King George is looking to be a vintage renewal with the likes of Don Cossack, Vautour, Cue Card and dual winner Silviniaco Conti all looking exceptionally difficult to beat. We have left Ballynagour in at this stage and he is a possible runner with conditions likely to suit. I am under no illusions of the enormity of the task that lies ahead of him, although he would be much shorter in the market were it not for his last run. Remember he was only four lengths behind Cue Card at Haydock, gave Silviniaco Conti a real fright at Aintree and was far from done with when capsizing in Don Cossack’s Punchestown Gold Cup back in April. A reproduction of his best form would not see him disgraced.
Dell’ Arca could run in the Christmas Hurdle although he is another with a mountain to climb as he could face the likes of Faugheen and The New One, although with only a small field likely and place money to sixth there could be some prize money up for grabs.
We also have a handful of entries at Wincanton on Boxing Day but as usual running plans will only be confirmed once we have done some work on each of the races and the last minute tests have been conducted and Chester’s daily chat is the best place to catch up with the latest news to catch up with the Pond House runners over the festive period.
There was some very sad news over the weekend when we learned that The Times racing correspondent Alan Lee had passed away suddenly at the age of just 61. Alan had been racing on Friday so it came as a huge shock to learn of his passing. He was a gentleman and an excellent journalist and our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.
A P McCoy was the deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards last night. Both my father and I were due to join him to celebrate this marvellous recognition but were unable to get any further than Bristol airport owing to delays aboard a well-known orange airline…very disappointing. Anyway, many congratulations to AP on this latest award – I can think of nobody more deserving.
That just leaves me to wish you all a very happy Christmas. While I will be making some time to be with the family, the horses still need to be fed and exercised so I will not be straying too far from Pond House.
