- Monday, 03 May 2021 11:36
- Written by David Pipe
The stable enjoyed the best possible start to the new jumps season on Saturday when Paricolor landed the first race on the card, the selling handicap hurdle at Hexham under Fergus Gillard. Things were to get better too when Nordic Combined (pictured above) completed a double of on the day in the two mile handicap hurdle. With a second to add to those winners, it was certainly a worthwhile (if long) journey up north.
We started last week with a runner on the flat at Windsor as Ranco was bidding to follow-up his course and distance success from the previous week. In this stronger race he was unable to reel in his rivals but has plenty of options going forward. He is clearly well-suited by the better ground and could well revert to hurdles in the coming weeks.
First Win Of The Season
There is no rest for the wicked and after a break of seven whole days, we were back with our first runners of the new jumps campaign at Hexham. Paricolor immediately put us on the scoresheet when running out a ready winner of the selling hurdle under Fergus Gillard. Just for a few strides at the end of the back straight he looked to be in a spot of bother as he trailed by five lengths and was driven along, but he responded in typically generous fashion and was well on top in the closing stages. He had a tremendous season last term, winning five times and he has kicked-off this time where he left off. There should be plenty more races to be won with this very likeable five year old.
Combined A Club Winner
Nordic Combined completed the double when a very easy winner of the 2m handicap hurdle for the David Pipe Racing Club. Due to the low sun, there were only four flights to be jumped, but travelling sweetly throughout, he took control halfway up the straight and was soon in command, scoring by eight lengths. He doesn’t win as often as perhaps he should, but has always possessed loads of natural ability and chose to use it all here. He will be reassessed for this success and could well have earned himself a crack at the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday. He will be towards the bottom of the weights and would be well-suited by a fast-run race and could be an exciting runner for the racing club.
The David Pipe Racing Club provides members with the ownership and a great deal of fun from only £100 per year. There is no limit on membership and any profits made are reinvested into the club. If you are be interested in joining, you can find more details here.
First Lord de Cuet finished runner-up at Hexham on his first start over fences. A quality handicap hurdler last season, he was a little novice with his jumping but stuck on well once headed to regain second place in the closing stages. Although not performing to the pick of his hurdles form, that can be forgiven on his chase debut and the experience will have taught him a great deal.
Elan de Balme disappointed in the three mile handicap chase. He seems fine and had run well on his two previous starts, so we will find another opportunity for him in due course.
The Week Ahead
We have two runners this afternoon, Major Robinson at Kempton and Iron Heart at Warwick. Major Robinson contests the 2m5 handicap hurdle. He took a big step forward last time, finishing a clear second behind a well-treated rival and I hope he can build on that effort now.
Iron Heart was not beaten at all far in a valuable handicap at Ascot last time and should find this two mile handicap at 5.30pm calmer waters. He certainly won’t mind the prevailing good ground.
We will have four runners tomorrow (Tuesday) with Maggies Mogul and Barrier Peaks travelling to Ayr and Thanksforthehelp and Sans Logique running at Southwell. The races at Ayr look to be decent opportunities – Maggies Mogul is a mare I have always liked, whilst the form of Barrier Peaks’ debut race at Chepstow has worked out well. He has a disappointing effort to overcome at Uttoxeter last time, but is clearly better than that.
Thanksforthehelp makes his racecourse debut in the bumper at Southwell. A well-related youngster, he goes nicely at home and we will learn plenty about him here. Fergus Gillard rides. Sans Logique contests the 2m handicap hurdle on the card and will need to improve on his most recent outings, although he has shown flashes of ability on the flat and over timber.
We will have four runners on Wednesday, with To Fly Free a runner for the David Pipe Racing Club at Newton Abbot. A winner last season at Fakenham from a subsequent dual-Listed winner, she has had a wind operation since her last outing and could go well in the mares’ handicap hurdle under Jack Tudor.
Dock Of The Bay, Percy Street and Doyen La Lutte will run at Fontwell. Dock Of The Bay makes his debut for the yard in the novices’ hurdle and race conditions mean that it looks like a good opportunity for him. Doyen La Lutte makes her debut for the yard in the bumper. The winner of an Irish point-to-point, she goes nicely at home, although it is often difficult to know what you are bumping into in these races. Percy Street will make his seasonal reappearance in the 2m3f conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle. Fergus Gillard rides all of our Fontwell runners.
We will decide on the participation of our other entries later in the week, so do keep up to date with our daily news.
Social Media Blackout
We joined the masses in refraining from the use of social media over the weekend, although I must question the value of the exercise. Of course, something must be done to combat bullying online, although by muting ourselves it seems like something of an own goal. It stops us putting our message across, whilst the online trolls will still be there. Indeed, no sooner had First Lord de Cuet been beaten as favourite at Hexham on Saturday night, I was immediately receiving abuse online. Fortunately, it does not tend to bother me although I can see how it would affect others.
