- Monday, 20 May 2019 16:09
- Written by David Pipe
The horses continue to run with great credit and whilst we didn’t get into the winners’ enclosure last week, five of our nine runners over the sticks reached the frame. We have had a better start to this week however, with Teaser already successful for the team at Ludlow. With fewer meetings planned for the week ahead and a dry weather forecast for the next few days at the very least it is likely to be relatively quiet week in terms of runners. However, with the Doncaster Sales taking place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday there is plenty to keep the team occupied.
So Close
Legal History very nearly made the long trip up to Perth a successful one when beaten a neck in the £15,000 added two mile handicap hurdle on Thursday. Unfortunately, with only five runners the race was not run to suit. They only went a crawl and we had to make our own running which was far from ideal as he is better coming from off a strong pace. Even so, he looked the most likely winner until a slow jump at the last cost him momentum. He rallied well when headed and despite taking a sizeable hike in the weights, he continues in good form. He has proven a most progressive horse and I think there could be more to come. He also has the option of reverting to the flat at some point and he remains unexposed in that discipline.
Van Gogh du Granit is another new recruit to the stable over the past season who has proven to be a revelation. Bought from a Pau claimer in January he has done nothing but improve for joining the Pond House regime at the tender age of ten. He has finished runner-up at Ascot, won a decent contest at Market Rasen and again surpassed himself with another gallant second in a competitive handicap chase at Aintree on Friday. Indeed, he may very well have given the winner more to think about at Liverpool had he not tried to take six out with him!
On the same card Three Star General once again performed with credit to fill the frame in the staying handicap hurdle. He has finished placed on nine of his previous ten starts (on the flat and over hurdles) and is a real model of consistency. This was a hotter race than he has been contesting of late but he ran well nonetheless. He is creeping up the weights as a consequence but there is no reason to think that he cannot continue to be competitive and he will continue over hurdles and on the flat.
Stream Lady and Ourmullion both ran respectably to finish third at Uttoxeter on Saturday and can pick up further races over timber before long.
The Week Ahead
As I have already mentioned, with a dry forecast for the week ahead we are likely to have only a handful of runners.
Druide Premier and Teaser ran at Ludlow this afternoon (Monday) with Teaser (pictured top) a typically gutsy winner of two mile handicap hurdle. A £7,500 purchase from a seller on the flat, he has given his owners enormous enjoyment, scoring twice over timber.
Malangen will be our sole runner tomorrow at Huntingdon.
Recent bumper winner Story Of Friends holds a number of engagements later in the week and could make his hurdling debut at one of those meetings although he would not want the ground getting any quicker. Percy Street, who was successful last time out at Wincanton over hurdles is another with multiple entries over the coming days and he will be making his chase debut in one of those.
Buster Edwards, a winner over 3m2f at Fontwell is engaged again over course and distance on Sunday whilst he is also entered at Uttoxeter the same afternoon. Delface is also entered at both meetings.
Join The Fun
I will be at the Doncaster Sales this week where there are some very nice types going through the ring. I have been busy putting in the hours on the catalogue as usual looking for any potential jumpers. If you would like to join the ownership ranks at Pond House, please do get in touch with my office and we can discuss your requirements.
For all the other news from the stable, please do keep in touch with Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing.
