- Monday, 28 October 2019 16:39
- Written by David Pipe
Cheltenham was back with their first meeting of the new season at the weekend and it was great to get on the board with our first runner; Ramses de Teillee (pictured above). I am always pleased of a winner wherever it may, although there is still something extra special about having a winner at Prestury Park. It remains the benchmark for everyone to aspire to, so to be there competing and succeeding is extremely satisfying.
Score’s On The Board!
Our first success of the week came on Wednesday when Know The Score (pictured right) ran out a brave winner of his first start over fences at Worcester. Victorious in an Irish point-to-point in his younger days, Know The Score has always looked the type to make a very nice staying chaser and this was an excellent first step along the way to doing just that. He jumped extremely well under a good ride from David Noonan and stuck to his task well when challenged in the straight. He was always just doing enough and will appreciate even softer ground. We may look for a race for him at Cheltenham’s November meeting - I have always held him in high regard and am hopeful that he will take high rank among the novices’ this season.
Ramses Roars Home!
Ramses de Teillee reverted to hurdles in spectacular style on Saturday when he ran out a comfortable winner of the 3m novices’ hurdle at Cheltenham. Given his excellent form over fences, it is hard to believe that he hadn’t already managed to get his head in front over timber but he is clearly a most progressive gelding and seldom looked to be in trouble as he made all to beat his four, largely useful rivals. It had always been my intention to use his novices’ status over hurdles at some point and I was pleased to see him take advantage. It was a very good performance for a seasonal debut and augurs well for the remainder of the campaign – he will go back over fences at some point with races such as the Becher Chase or Welsh National potential targets and will continue to be a force, especially when the mud is flying.
There were a number of other promising efforts with Eden du Houx finishing second on his hurdles debut at Fontwell on Wednesday. He lost his unbeaten record, but little else as he bumped into a very useful rival in I K Brunel who had the benefit of previous experience over hurdles and had already shown a good level of form. Indeed, Eden du Houx would be considered most unfortunate to bump into another one like that and looks certain to break his duck over timber sooner rather than later. He is another who would be suited by more give underfoot and remains a very exciting prospect.
Midnight Magic was runner-up at Ludlow on Thursday in the 2m7f handicap chase and followed up his first win with another solid effort from a career high handicap mark. A late maturing type, he is flourishing now and has finished in the first two on his last five starts and should continue to remain competitive in similar contests. He wouldn’t want the ground getting too soft.
Fort Summer also hinted at ability on his first start for the stable when third in the bumper at Southwell. The slow early pace would not have played to his strengths but he stayed on in the closing stages to claim third with some highly regarded rivals behind and he will certainly benefit from a more thorough test of stamina and some obstacles in front of him.
Paricolor was still in with every chance when capsizing at the penultimate hurdle at Wincanton on Sunday. He just stumbled on landing and can hopefully atone for this reversal before long.
Hodge's Horse To Follow
I am pleased to bring you the latest installment from our horses to follow series and today we talk to travelling head lad Bob Hodge. He has nominated a familiar face for the season ahead. Click on the image below for video...
Guillaume Suratteau is the latest member of the Pond House team to nominate a horse to follow. See who he picks by clicking the image below...
The Week Ahead
The beginning of the week is looking a little quiet with no runners on Monday and or Tuesday. Ourmullion, Dusky Hercules and Malangen are engaged at Taunton on Wednesday where unbelievably the ground is good (good/firm in places) as I write!
It is a different matter for Newton Abbot who host their final meeting of the season on Thursday. They are situated right next to the River Teign so any significant rain makes the track very wet and they currently have heavy ground (waterlogged in places). Delface, Dusky Hercules, the very promising Queens Cave and Kepagge all hold entries there. Course officials hold an inspection tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon although prospects for racing going ahead look bleak at present.
We have a number of entries at Ascot on Saturday with the likes of Ekayburg, Malangen and former Irish point-to-pointer Collingwood Court among the entries, whilst Nordic Combined is an intended runner in the valuable Listed handicap hurdle on the card. Gutsy four year old Teaser is engaged in the 2m3f handicap chase at Wetherby although he would not want too much rain.
Further afield, Vieux Lion Rouge and Poker Play are engaged in the Grade One hurdle over three miles at Auteuil on Sunday. The prize money on offer is excellent and the prevailing testing ground will certainly play to their strengths. We will need to make a decision as to whether they make the trip midweek.
As usual, plans for the weekend remain fluid with participation decided by numerous factors including satisfactory blood tests, ground and opposition to name but a few. You can keep up to date with all the latest news from the yard by visiting Chester’s Daily Chat or following us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing.
Breeder’s Cup
I will look forward to the Breeder’s Cup from Santa Anita in the United States this coming Friday and Saturday. The meeting hosts loads of top class flat races which pit the European challengers against the best the Americans can produce on their home soil. It is a tall order for the visitors to travel across the Atlantic at the end of a busy flat season, but it is an enjoyable rivalry and I will be watching and cheering on the European team.
