- Monday, 14 November 2016 16:56
- Written by David Pipe
As it is a meeting where the stable has traditionally been very strong, I have to admit that there is often a little extra pressure to perform at Cheltenham’s Open meeting in November than at other fixtures on the calendar. Although we sent a smaller raiding party than in previous years, I was still very pleased to come away from the BetVictor fixture with a couple of nice winners. Furthermore, with a winner at Exeter and a couple of nice new arrivals from the sales, all in all it was a very good week.
We started the ball rolling with success at Exeter on Wednesday when Poisoned Berry (pictured right) ran out a ready winner of the mares’ novices’ hurdle under conditional jockey David Noonan. A winner of a bumper for us earlier in the season, she had shown glimpses of promise on her two previous starts over timber without threatening the judge. She may only small but she has plenty of guts and a determined attitude and jumping much better on this occasion, she stayed on in really good fashion to win well. She may prove even better on a left-handed track and hopefully there will be more races to be won with her.
The horses continued to run well prior to the Cheltenham fixture with the likes of Tobacco Road and Bella hitting the bar when finishing runner-up at Towcester, while Port Navas filled the same position at Fontwell on Sunday. Each of them produced good performances, the only trouble being that they will face a hike in the weights for their exertions.
Onto Cheltenham and I was thrilled to get off the mark for the meeting on day one when What A Moment (pictured left) was a convincing winner of the amateur riders’ staying handicap chase under a confident, accomplished ride from Cheltenham Festival winning jockey Richard Harding. On only his second start over fences he jumped like an old hand and quickly put the race to bed when asked for his effort. The winning margin diminished somewhat on the run-in, although I think that he was idling as much as anything. He is a horse that we have thought a good deal of since winning a Towcester bumper, although he has not always found as much as has seemed likely. Only a lightly raced six year old, he still has scope for improvement and it is not hard to imagine him becoming a decent staying chaser.
Sunday saw the eagerly awaited rematch between the Festival Bumper winners Moon Racer (pictured top) and Ballyandy. Throw in a couple of other already classy novices as well as a couple of 100+ rated flat performers and the Grade 2 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Trial had the look of a very decent race. The race turned into something of a tactical affair and I thought Tom Scudamore gave Moon Racer an excellent ride, always having him in the right position and grabbing the stands’ side rail in the straight. He found plenty when asked for his effort and was well on top on the run-in to hold front running Mirsaale, with old adversary further back in third despite a 4lbs pull in the weights. I have always held the opinion that Moon Racer is a top-notch two mile hurdler and this did nothing to dissuade me – all roads lead to the Supreme in March, although he will also get an entry in the Champion Hurdle. He is well this morning and I hope that we have a full season with him where he gets the chance to finally show just what he can do.
The Tattersalls Ireland sales always take place after racing on the first day of the Cheltenham meeting and I was pleased to pick up a couple of nice looking prospects from there in Mr Clarkson and Celebre d’Allen. The latter named, an attractive four year old gelding who was challenging when capsizing at the last in a decent looking Irish point-to-point is still looking for an owner. If you would like any further information about him, or buying to order please do get in touch. Meanwhile, I am at the Arqana sales in France this afternoon where there is another good catalogue of prospective jumpers and I will be hoping to find a bargain or two there.
We have kicked this week off in style with the success of Citrus at Plumpton this afternoon (Monday), more of that next week! Although we have no runners tomorrow, we have plenty of entries for the week ahead including exciting novices’ chase prospect Champers On Ice. He has been ready to go for a little while having pleased with his schooling at home and we have just been waiting for the rain to get sufficiently into the ground. He has a couple of options at Haydock and Exeter and it will not be long before we see him on the track. As usual for all the latest news on runners from the yard keep up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing.
Finally, I would just like to extend my thoughts to the Henderson team after the horrible day they endured at Cheltenham on Sunday. Not only did they announce the retirement of superstar Sprinter Sacre, they also lost Simonsig in the big chase. Racing needs it’s stars and their loss is very sad for the sport and will certainly be felt by those around the yard.
