- Monday, 05 December 2016 15:52
- Written by David Pipe
The stable enjoyed a productive week with three winners, culminating in the thrilling success of Vieux Lion Rouge in the valuable Becher Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree on Saturday under an inspired ride from stable jockey Tom Scudamore. Although racing has been abandoned this afternoon at Ludlow, we look set to be well represented for the remainder of the week (weather permitting) and I hope we will be able to continue the yard’s good form.
What a culmination to the week when Vieux Lion Rouge managed to grasp victory in the very final strides of the Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday! Jumping really well for Tom Scu, as indeed he had in the Grand National in April, he raced prominently throughout and stayed on in dogged fashion to secure a fantastic victory, getting a dream run up the rail after the elbow to deny the valiant Highland Lodge by a short head. He hasn’t always seen out his races as well as might have looked likely, but there was no arguing with his finishing burst here – he is a stronger horse this year and hopefully, he will get the extra seven furlongs of the Grand National this time around.
It is very difficult to know where to go next with a horse such as him. This victory should have secured a place in the line-up for the 2017 Grand National. The trouble is that the Grand National is such a competitive contest these days that you need a mark in the mid-high 140’s to get a run. The dilemma therefore is do you run him again and risk getting another few pounds on his back (with a good run) or dropping a few pounds (with a poor run) which could affect his chance of getting in the big race? It is a nice position to be in however, so we will enjoy Saturday’s success for now – big winners such as this do not come along every day.
Earlier in the week we enjoyed a nice double at Market Rasen on Thursday courtesy of Susie Sheep and Chic Theatre. Susie Sheep made a pleasing return to action after injury when running out a ready winner of the novices’ handicap chase. She stayed the longer trip well and looks to be on the upgrade – hopefully now she has managed to get her head in front she can continue to progress.
Chic Theatre provided the second leg of the double when winning the handicap hurdle in workmanlike fashion. This represented the easiest task he has done in some time and as such I was pleased that he did not fluff his lines. He didn’t appear to be doing an awful lot in front so perhaps there is more to come yet.
Of our other runners, What A Moment ran with credit at Chepstow on Saturday and despite finishing fifth, he was only beaten 2½ lengths. The race was not run to suit as they only went very steady and he will certainly be suited by more of a test – there will be other days for him.
I was disappointed by the performance of Dynaste in the veteran’s chase at Kelso on Sunday with our ten year old never travelling like we know he can on his first start outside of Graded company since 2012. However, I am pleased to report that he is fine this morning and none the worse for his exertions – he is now qualified for the series final at Sandown next month so we see how he is over the next few days before deciding what to do next.
With the abandonment of Ludlow today (Monday) owing to frost we are left with no runners, but we look likely to be at plenty of other meetings during the course of the week. Albert Bartlett third Champers On Ice is an exciting recruit to chasing and we start him out over fences tomorrow at Uttoxeter. He has schooled well at home and I am looking forward to getting him onto the track – he has always looked a chaser in the making and I am hopeful that he will prove at least as good over the larger fences.
Ex-French import Great Tempo is an intended runner in the juvenile hurdle at Hexham on Wednesday. He had some decent form in good company in France and is one to look forward to. On Thursday Port Navas is a likely runner at Taunton and I would imagine that he will be joined by a few others – as usual all the latest running plans can be found at Chester’s Daily Chat.
Finally, I am at the Racehorse Writers’ Awards in London today and I would like to once again thank my host Mike Vince for his kind invitation. It is something I attend every year and look forward to enormously.
