- Monday, 06 May 2019 11:30
- Written by David Pipe
It is hard to believe that the 2019/2020 jumps season is already upon us, but as has been the case for many years now, one season follows hot on the heels of the other. With a couple of runners today and tomorrow and plenty of entries for the remainder of the week it looks like being a busy start to the campaign. Indeed, I am off to Kempton this afternoon where we run Malangen.
Starting Again
With the scores reset to zero it is time to start all over again and we will be keeping a few horses in over the summer months who like a decent surface and they will hopefully give us a good platform to build upon. The targets for the new season are simple; to beat our tally of winners from last term and prize money accumulated, whilst success at the big spring festivals would also be a welcome bonus!
A Great Time To Buy
We are always looking to bolster our squad and with the sales coming up at Doncaster in the next few weeks there is a good-looking catalogue with some very promising types. I have done plenty of preparation and we will be present if you are interested in joining the ownership ranks at Pond House…please do get in touch for a no obligation chat to discuss your requirements.
General Goes Close Again
We had a rare runner on the level last week as Three Star General went to Chepstow to contest the flat staying handicap on Friday. He performed with credit once again to finish a narrow runner-up under apprentice Finley Marsh and his turn surely must not be far away. Prior to this run he had also finished second on his three previous starts over timber and he certainly deserves to go one better. We will look to take him back to Chepstow for a similar flat race next week.
Coincidentally, he is for sale to stay in the yard and would be a good purchase for any prospective owner. He is fit and ready to run, can run on the flat and over obstacles and is consistent and as such will prove enormous fun. Please contact my office or drop us an email for further information.
The Week Ahead
As I have already mentioned, I am heading off to Kempton today (Monday) with Malangen who arrives at this 2m5f handicap hurdle in top form having won his last three starts. The inevitable rise in the weights means this is tougher but he is progressing well. Meanwhile, over at Warwick Drama King contests the 3m1f handicap hurdle under David Noonan.
Tomorrow we run Story Of Friends and Huccaby in the bumper at Exeter. Story Of Friends has already shown more than enough to suggest that a race of this nature should be well within his compass, whilst we are still learning about Huccaby who is making his racecourse debut and is entitled to learn plenty for the experience.
Later in the week we have plenty of entries with You Say What a likely runner at Newton Abbot on Wednesday, whilst Buster Edwards is an intended runner at Fontwell. The consistent Percy Street could head to Wincanton on Thursday and Picture Painter, Whiltley Neill and Dream Free will probably run at Worcester on Thursday. Van Gogh du Granit, Ourmullion and Mr Clarkson are entered at Market Rasen.
Timeforben holds an entry in the valuable Long Distance hurdle at Haydock on Saturday, whilst the most progressive youngster Legal History is engaged in the Swinton Hurdle on the same card.
With a band of rain forecast for midweek we will take a look at the ground and opposition before committing to any other plans at this stage.
Irish Trip
I had an enjoyable, albeit fruitless trip to Punchestown with our two runners at the Festival over in Ireland. Thank you to everyone for looking after us so well once again. It was quite a poignant affair with Ruby Walsh calling time on his remarkable career after victory in the Punchestown Gold Cup aboard Kemboy. He was an incredible rider who will rank as one of the best ever. He enjoyed big race success for the Pond House team when successful in the Scottish National aboard Take Control, the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle on Ilnamar and the Mildmay of Flete aboard Blowing Wind (A P was not happy finishing second aboard Lady Cricket!). Congratulations Ruby, we look forward to seeing more of you on television over the coming years…
A Fond Farewell
Talking of retirements, we bade a fond farewell to legends Moon Racer and Un Temps Pour Tout (pictured top of page) last week when they left to embarkup on their new careers. You will remember that Moon Racer was a brilliant winner of the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival whilst Un Temps Pour Tout was a back-to-back winner of the Ultima Chase at the Festival as well as the French Champion Hurdle. They will both be retrained with a view to having active and enjoyable retirements from racing so hopefully we will be able to bring you updates on them in the future.
As usual, for all the other news from around the stable, don’t forget to read Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing
