- Monday, 12 November 2018 16:07
- Written by David Pipe
While the downpours of last week may not be to everyone’s taste, it is certainly welcome news for all fans of the jumps. With the ease in the going, there were more runners from the Pond House team than in recent weeks and I was pleased to be among the winners with the successes of Aldrin and Remastered, while there were a whole host of other good performances. This is the time of year when we traditionally get into top gear and with the Cheltenham Open fixture taking place this weekend; I am very pleased with the form of the stable.
Over The Moon With Aldrin
Aldrin (pictured right) was our first winner of the week when landing the 2m2f handicap hurdle at Market Rasen on Thursday under conditional jockey Charlie Hammond. Given a confident, patient ride, he was produced between the last two flights of hurdles and despite clattering through the last, was well on top at the line. His profile is a bit patchy but he has won three of his seven starts to date and is a talented individual. He wouldn’t want too much rain so that could be his last hurdles start for a while, although he does still have the option of returning to the flat on the all-weather. I was doubly represented in the race with Malangen performing creditably once again to finish third under David Noonan and it is only a matter of time before he picks up something similar.
Remastered Routs Rivals
I was thrilled with the performance of Remastered (pictured top of page) in landing the novices’ hurdle at Ffos Las on Sunday on his first start over timber from a couple of useful opponents. Our five year old gelding had looked a most promising individual when winning a Chepstow bumper for the team last season and confirmed that impression here with a striking victory. We put him away after his bumper success to preserve his novice status and that looks to be a good decision. His jumping was very good indeed and he looks to be an exciting novices’ hurdle for the campaign, especially with plenty of give in the ground. Incidentally, he was owner’s Garth and Anne Broom’s 98th winner and they brought up the landmark century today (Monday) with Tidal Flow at Kempton…what a fabulous achievement! Garth and Anne have been tremendous supporters of ours over the years and I am delighted for their success.
Good Form
As I have previously mentioned, there were a whole host of other good performances last week, not least from Moon Racer who I thought ran a solid first race of the season on his first try at three miles in the Pertemps qualifier at Newbury on Thursday. Despite his catalogue of problems down the years, he still retains plenty of ability and enthusiasm and this performance suggested that he should be winning again before long. Novices’ chases are also still an option for him going forward and we will be schooling him over fences this week.
Earlier in the day, Nordic Combined had produced a good first effort over timber when a very promising fifth in a warm looking novices’ hurdle. Barring a couple of late mistakes, he jumped well in the main and can only improve for the experience.
Whitley Neill was beaten little over two lengths when fourth in the qualifier for the stayers’ challenger hurdle at Chepstow on Wednesday, keeping on in determined fashion, while Rathlin Rose filled the same position in the veterans’ chase at Sandown on Sunday. He put in some extravagant leaps down the back straight before getting a bit tired in the closing stages. The final of the series at the track in January remains very much his primary target.
Ramses de Teillee ran well in the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton on Saturday, finishing fifth on ground that he found plenty lively enough, whilst Un Temps Pour Tout is entitled to come on for his first start for 606 days at Aintree over an inadequate trip.
The Week Ahead
As is often the case, the runners for the week ahead will be governed by the ground and with the rain drying up to a large extent, we will keep a watching brief before committing to the weekend runners. We do have loads of entries though and they kick off this week with Celestial Path in the conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle at Kempton this afternoon. He does not want the ground too soft and will need to produce his best effort to date over timber from a mark 8lbs higher than when last successful. Kieron Edgar is in the saddle.
Duc de Beauchene and Picture Painter will run at Hereford tomorrow afternoon, while Orchard Thieves, Hot Ryan and Mrs Miggins are possible runners at Exeter on Wednesday.
Teaser is a likely runner in the juvenile hurdle at Ludlow on Thursday, whilst Great Tempo could run in the amateur riders’ handicap hurdle for Fergus Gillard on the same card.
You Say What, Dauphine Ereine, Jacbequick and King’s Socks are engaged on the first day of Cheltenham’s Open meetings, although King’s Socks is an intended runner in the BetVictor Gold Cup on the second day. He was confirmed this morning and makes the cut for the race in which he will have a nice low racing weight. In the same event, Eamon An Cnoic will need five to come out between now and Saturday to make the line-up.
Also on Saturday, Daklondkike is engaged in the 3m3½f handicap chase, while Dell’ Arca and Vieux Lion Rouge are entered in the three mile hurdle.
The final day at Cheltenham see us mob-handed in the boys’ race with Eamon An Cnoic, Friday Night Light, Vaniteux, Three Star General and Picture Painter all entered. Friday Night Light is also engaged in the Greatwood Hurdle later on the card, although he needs one horse above him to come out before he gets a run. Ekayburg and Umbrigado, who are yet to race for us, round off the entries in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Trial and bumper respectively. It should certainly be an exciting week so make sure to keep up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter (@DavidPipeRacing) for the latest news on runners.
Friends Reunited
It was nice to see Siobhan Doolan again last week. Many of you will remember Siobhan’s power-packed finish when successful aboard Dell’ Arca in the ladies’ race at Newbury back in the summer. She joined us on Saturday to ride out a few and couldn’t leave without a spin aboard her old pal. It is a case of have saddle will travel for Siobhan, who rides out for trainers the length and breadth of the country.
Racing Post Stable Tour
Finally, it was also good to see Racing Post reporter Bruce Jackson last week as he conducted the annual stable tour that will be appearing in the newspaper shortly. He ran through many of the horses at Pond House, so keep your eyes peeled…it should be a good read!
