- Monday, 17 September 2018 15:53
- Written by David Pipe
There was a somewhat truncated National Hunt programme last week with the jumps action finishing on Wednesday and as such we were limited to just the three runners. They were spread far and wide with Dell’ Arca contesting the Kerry National at the Listowel Festival in Ireland. I am pleased to report that the horses continue to perform well as the bulk of the string continue their preparation for the core part of the season – after all, the first fixture of the new campaign from Cheltenham is little over a month away!
Timeforben Tops
The week started off in the best possible fashion with Timeforben running out a ready winner of the valuable staying handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot on Monday. She has been in fantastic form, winning three of her six starts and finishing in the frame on the other three occasions. Indeed, she had looked the likeliest winner at Worcester and Uttoxeter previously, only getting collared close home. Being mindful of that, it was by design that Tom took things up much earlier, taking it up before the penultimate hurdle and seeing it out well to record a 2¾ length victory. She doesn’t do a great deal in front, but hopefully that will help her to elude the handicapper. A most progressive and honest mare, I hope she can continue to improve.
Kalifourchon produced his best effort in a while when fourth in a competitive handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter on Wednesday, staying on well in the closing stages. The race was only a steadily run affair and he would have preferred more of a gallop but this was much more like it and suggested that his turn would not be too far away.
Dell Does Us Proud
Dell’ Arca made the long trip over to Ireland on Sunday, arriving after a fourteen hour journey looking considerably better than travelling head lad Craig Wylie! Being the old pro that he is (the horse rather than Craig), he took it all in his stride and ran a mighty race in the fiercely competitive Kerry National to finish a close fourth. He was doing all his best work in the closing stages and looks as though he will get even further than this three mile trip now.
He has been a remarkable horse down the years and has been as good as ever this season, winning on the flat and over hurdles and judging by this effort, there are more chases to be won as well.
The Week Ahead
The week ahead is also looking a little quiet on the jumps front with three blank days, although we do have a runner at Worcester this afternoon (Monday) as Midnight Sapphire contests the staying handicap hurdle.
There are no jumps fixtures on Tuesday but Impulsive American holds an engagement in the 2m5f handicap hurdle at Kelso on Wednesday as well as on the level at Ayr on Friday. Like Dell’ Arca, he is another remarkably versatile sort and always runs his race, especially when travelling to Scotland!
On Friday we have a handful of entries at Newton Abbot where recent hurdle winner Acker Bilk is engaged in the novices’ hurdle along with flat winner Jacbequick (who has an alternative engagement on the level at Newbury on Friday, although he would want a bit more cut in the ground). Meanwhile, Dream Free and Take The High Road hold entries in the conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle.
There is another blank day over the jumps on Saturday before we have entries at both Plumpton and Uttoxeter on Sunday. Three year olds Mutanaqel and Malangen both showed promise on their only previous starts over timber and are engaged in the juvenile hurdle at Plumpton, while Timeforben holds an entry in the 3m1f handicap hurdle. Over at Uttoxeter, Celestial Path is entered in the two mile novices’ handicap hurdle.
As usual, for all the latest news on stable runners keep up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing
Doncaster Sales
The Doncaster Sales commence midweek and there are plenty of interesting lots going through the ring including a large consignment from Gigginstown Stud. Should anyone be interested in making a purchase I have done plenty of work on the catalogue and would be happy to assist.
I also have some nice horses for sale at Pond House at present, so if you are interested in joining the ownership ranks, please do get in touch.
Pond House Brochures Now On Sale
You may have seen that towards the end of last week we offered our 2018/19 Pond House brochures for sale. This year’s edition is a 76 page full-colour offering with interviews, information on all the latest developments around the yard, beautiful photography and essays on all the horses in training. They are for sale for £12 (including postage within the UK) and charitable donations from the sale of these will benefit the air ambulance. They are a great read, even if I do say so myself so to find out how to get hold of a copy, click here…
Like Father Like Son
Finally, congratulations to Harry Swan who rode his first winner under rules today when steering Stacey Sue to victory in the Worcester bumper. Harry’s father Charlie was a multiple champion in Ireland and rode many winners for my father. This is the first of many I am sure…
