- Monday, 28 March 2011 18:30
- Written by David Pipe
Following the frantic goings-on of the Cheltenham Festival, last week was just the opposite with only three runners. It was still very productive nonetheless with two of them winning (both in the hands of man of the moment Conor O’Farrell).
I was delighted for the connections of Laustra Bad, who were only one month shy of a four year wait to see their gelding score again at Exeter. He has run consistently well this season without getting his head in front but was just beginning to creep back up the weights, but Conor gave him an excellent ride to score by nine lengths. Sadly the handicapper has reacted by putting a further 10lbs on his back, and while he is clearly a talented individual, he is indisputably something of an enigma and I hope that it is not another four years before he wins again for his patient owners.
It was great to see some of the Cheltenham heroes paraded before the final race of the day at Wincanton on Sunday and lining-up alongside the likes of Big Buck’s and Kauto Star was our very own dual Festival winner, Buena Vista. The crowds were clearly delighted to see these great horses and it is nice that the racecourses recognise their achievements.
E Street Boy won the concluding conditional jockey’s handicap hurdle at Wincanton to sign us off in the best possible manner. It was a comfortable first victory and being a boy’s race, the horse escapes a penalty and will turn out again from the same handicap mark in a bid to follow-up at Hereford on Wednesday.
For those of you who have been on a different planet over the last fortnight Conor O’Farrell has been in scintillating form and his exploits have obviously not gone unnoticed. Only last Friday Alastair Down joined us at the yard to catch up with the young Irishman and the result was an excellent piece in Monday’s Racing Post.
Aintree’s Grand National meeting starts next week and with that in mind we have already begun our preparations for the unique challenge of the Liverpool fences. Indeed, as you can see from the following picture of Or Noir de Somoza (partnered by Tom Scudamore) we have constructed our Grand National style spruce fences and have already schooled many of our intended runners over them. They took to them very well as they look inviting and they will continue to gain experience over them in the forthcoming days before competing in a race. You can hear my latest thoughts on my likely team for the Grand National and Aintree's supporting races by clicking here, while Mike Vince also caught up with Tom Scudamore - hear his interview here (or by visiting our Media Vault).
Or Noir de Somoza schools over our Grand National style fences this morning under Tom Scu
At this stage it is possible that we may have three runners in the big one with 2008 winner (and 2009 runner-up) Comply Or Die, ex-French raider Or Noir de Somoza, and Piraya (who needs a couple to come out) likely to represent Pond House. It would be lovely if we could get Cheltenham Festival winner Junior into the race as he would be 19lbs ahead of the handicapper – however he needs 28 to come out of the race above him and the chances of that happening are remote to say the least.
Make sure that you keep up to date with Chester’s Chat for the latest news and pictures from the gallops leading up to Aintree as well as his usual anecdotes…
