- Tuesday, 07 February 2017 11:23
- Written by David Pipe
Unsurprisingly given the changeable weather conditions (seemingly only changing from wet to freezing!), last week was a quiet one with only a handful of runners. Nevertheless, the horses that did compete continued to run creditably and I was pleased to get in the winners’ enclosure with Abracadabra Sivola at my local track of Taunton on Sunday.
Stay Out Of Court made a satisfactory start to his handicap career when finishing third over three miles at Plumpton on Monday against far more experienced rivals. He kept plugging on in pleasing fashion and looks as though he will be suited by an even greater test of stamina. He is still only young and looks like a nice staying chaser in the making.
Celebre d’Allen once again showed a good level of form when finishing a close third in a decent looking bumper at Wincanton on Wednesday, looking the likeliest winner a furlong out. He has shown in his two starts so far, more than enough ability to suggest that his turn will not be far away. He clearly has a promising future but may possibly benefit from slightly less testing ground.
Abracadabra Sivola (pictured above) provided a timely success for the stable when a brave winner of the staying handicap chase at Taunton on Sunday. Making most of the running from the final circuit he kept on in determined fashion to see off his rivals in the hands of Tom Scudamore. Previously a good second in the Somerset National at Wincanton, he is in good heart at present and has an entry in the Grand National Trial at Haydock on 18th February for which he will pick up a 5lbs penalty. We could take a look at that race, while the Eider Chase at Newcastle would be a feasible alternative.
It looks like being a quiet start to the week ahead with no runners today or tomorrow although we head off for a rare visit to Chelmsford on Wednesday where Perspicace runs on the all-weather flat. He will be partnered by former jump jockey Dougie Costello.From there things could get quite considerably busier (weather permitting!) as we have entries at Carlisle and Ludlow on Wednesday, Doncaster and Huntingdon on Thursday, Bangor and Kempton on Friday, Newbury, Warwick and Uttoxter on Saturday and Exeter on Sunday.
The entries include novice chaser Starchitect who is engaged in the Grade 2 Starmaker novices’ chase at Warwick, promising ex-French bumper winner Delirant who holds entries at Warwick and Exeter and Doctor Harper, Gevrey Chambertin and the Pipe’s Prospector’s horse, Mr Clarkson who also hold entries at Exeter. Indeed, Exeter on Sunday could be something of a Pond House bonanza as we have no less than nine entries in the Pertemps handicap hurdle qualifier alone! For all the latest details on our running plans don’t forget to keep up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing
Social media is a wonderful way of keeping racing enthusiasts connected but it can sometimes lead to Chinese Whispers that are wholly inaccurate. Consequently I would like to report that Moon Racer (pictured right) is still very much on course for the Cheltenham Festival. We may get a little run into him somewhere although at this stage he is likely to go straight to Cheltenham next month. The main objective remains the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Finally, it was good to greet my mother and father back from their holidays this morning. They have enjoyed a fortnight’s cruise around the Caribbean and my dad has even managed to catch a few rays. I will be preserving my holiday entitlement until after the Cheltenham Festival…did I mention that it is only five weeks away now?!
