Max Power!

Although the disjointed nature of the summer jumps programme means that there are fewer opportunities for the horses, the string continues to perform well and I was delighted to hit the mark with Max do Brazil (pictured above) who was scoring a timely first success for the stable at Fakenham on Sunday. With the purchase of a couple more horses from the Tattersalls Ireland sales at Cheltenham, it has to be considered another productive week.

Picture Promise

One of the things that we try to promote at Pond House is inclusiveness and we are always keen to bring the thrill of racehorse ownership to as many people as possible. Whether you own a few hairs in a modest performer or a string of top class horses, we try to create an enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone. The twenty members of our Blue Ball Syndicate (an excellent drinking establishment near to Pond House) were thrilled by the performance of their horse, Picture Painter who surpassed himself by finishing a good third at the rewarding odds of 20/1 behind a promising type at Newton Abbot on Wednesday. He isn’t entirely straight forward but has shown more than enough to suggest he will be winning something similar before too long…make sure to get to the Blue Ball when he does, there is sure to be some party!

Max Power

I was particularly pleased to get Max do Brazil in to the winners’ enclosure at Fakenham on Sunday. A useful horse in France in his younger days, he had shown sporadic promise over hurdles for us without ever threatening to get his head in front so we made the decision to try him over the larger obstacles. Jumping well in the main (and certainly better than his rivals) on this first start over fences, he jumped to the front under Tom Scudamore at the fourth last fence and never looked likely to relinquish the lead.

This race represented his easiest task to date on these shores and now he has put his head in front, I am hopeful that he can progress again. We will look for something similar for him in due course but in the meantime I am delighted that he was able to (at least in part) repay the tremendous patience of his owners Bryan Drew and Caroline Tisdall.

New Additions

One of the most important aspects of the off-season is bolstering the squad for the season ahead and we have been busy doing just that. Following a couple of new arrivals from the Doncaster Sales I was delighted to secure two more from the Tattersalls Sales at Cheltenham; Collingwood Court and Meep Meep Mag. They are both winning Irish point-to-pointers and look like nice, good value types to be going on with. They are currently looking for owners so if you would like further information, please do get in touch with my office.

The Week Ahead

Tonight I will be heading to Windsor for their Monday night meeting. It is a while since I have visited the Berkshire track but I am looking forward to it. There Ballard Down will be making his debut for the yard in the one mile handicap. We picked him up from a claimer on the all-weather and he has settled into his new routine well. I am hopeful of a big run from him under apprentice jockey Finley Marsh, although regardless of how he gets on here, he will be going hurdling at some point in the near future.

Tomorrow Delface will be our sole racecourse representative as he contests the 2m3½f handicap hurdle at Bangor. He has been in good form of late winning twice for owners the Pipe’s Prospectors and finishing in the frame a further four times from his last six outings. He has crept up the weights as a consequence but remains in good form and there is no reason why he should not go well again under Tom Scudamore.

Recent winners Teaser and Story Of Friends hold engagements at Newton Abbot on Wednesday, whilst we have plenty of entries at Ffos Las on Thursday. Great Tempo and Malangen are entered at Uttoxeter on Friday, whilst we could have a couple of runners on the flat at Chepstow on Saturday as Ourmullion and Dream Free are likely to run there.

We could embark on the long journey up to Scotland at the weekend as Van Gogh du Granit is a likely runner in the valuable Perth Gold Cup on Sunday. He has proven to be a great buy since joining the Pond House team and ran at least as well as ever when a good runner-up at Aintree last time.

Future Footballing Star

Finally, I am extremely proud to say a big well done to my son Jack who was named football coach player of the year at the end of season presentation ceremony at Sampford Arundel on Sunday. Jack (a Chelsea fan like his dad and younger sister, Sophie) plays in the under 9’s squad and thoroughly enjoys the game. Mind you, he is ruthlessly competitive…I have no idea where he gets it from!

As usual, for all the latest news and gossip from around Pond House do keep up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing.

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