Trio of Seconds!

 
Koi Dodville (in second) could Debut at Weekend

The horses continue in good form which is great although it was slightly frustrating our trip to Scotland yesterday resulted in three second places!! All our horses ran their races and there were no excuses but if just one of them could have been first…

Gwencily Berbas improved on his stable debut third to finish a close second behind the favourite yesterday. He looked in a bit of trouble as they turned for home but galloped all the way to the line. He is a ten year old that has been a grand servant to his owners.  He had lost his way a little in Ireland but he seems to love life at Pond House and it was great just to get back-to-back good runs to his name. He is a strong stayer who does not really mind ground conditions so hopefully he can get a deserved victory next time out.

Nordic Combined has been in great heart of late and ran better than his bare finishing suggested last time out in the Swinton hurdle at Haydock. It was a competitive contest yesterday and they went a strong gallop from the off but he travelled and jumped really well and galloped all the way to the line. He was perhaps unlucky to ‘bump into one’ who has moved stables and races from a favourable handicap mark. Nordic ran a great race and is providing much fun for the members of the David Pipe Racing Club. Anyone is welcome to join the club, for just £100 a year with lots of runners and it will include an invite to the yard for the inaugural Club Open day in September 2021. Please see the David Pipe Racing Club page on the website to find out how to join or give the office a ring on 01884 840715.

First Lord Du Cuet ran another solid race to finish second in the novices handicap chase at Kelso. He jumped better than on debut but still made a couple of novicey mistakes, which did not help his chances. The winner is useful however and did seem to benefit from a recent wind operation. First Lord Du Cuet probably would have benefited from a bit softer ground as well so we may just monitor the weather in the coming days to see whether he is likely to run again or he may now have a little holiday.

On Saturday, Dell’arca travelled to Cartmel but did not seem to enjoy the track as much as we hoped he would. He found it all happening a bit quick round this sharp track so he will appreciate a return to a more galloping course. He has come out of the race fine, which is the main thing.  His favourite courses seem to be Aintree, Haydock and Newbury where he has done a lot of his winning – not a bad three tracks to have as your favourites!

Our only other runners of last week were at Worcester on Thursday. Ranco returned to hurdles for the first time after a winter break and win on the flat at Windsor. He ran well and held every chance as they jumped the last but finished a close fourth in the end. Tom Scu felt he would prefer a sharper track, so Stratford or Newton abbot could suit him better and hopefully he should get his first win over hurdles in the very near future. Our other runner that day was Percy Street who did not run his race at all. He possesses a lot of talent but it was not his day last week. He could be out on the flat next time in a handicap at Epsom.

Today we have one runner on the flat at Leicester. Lady Reset finished a close fifth over hurdles at Huntingdon on her latest start but reverts to the level to try to gain her first win for the stable. It looks a good opportunity on paper; she is the highest rated in the race and has Cieren Fallon on board.  Flammarion was due to run in the final race of the day, the apprentice handicap but he is a non-runner because the ground has dried out too much.  He is a winner on heavy ground and does have form on a quicker surface but definitely seems happier with some give underfoot.  He is a new recruit to the yard and we’ll have to wait a bit longer for him to make his stable debut.

Looking ahead to this week, it is quiet on the runner’s front for the yard. Mr Clarkson held an entry at Cartmel on Wednesday (a course he has won at previously) but does not run as he ground has dried out too much.

On Thursday, Dock of the Bay has an entry at Uttoxeter. He made a lovely stable debut after a long layoff at Fontwell last time to be second and hopefully he can build on this stepped up in distance if he takes his chance.

At the weekend, we have just one entry up at Hexham, Koi Dodville in the opening juvenile hurdle contest of the season.  We claimed him after he finished second at Saint Cloud on the flat.  He is from a trainer who we have done well with in the past.  Night Edition, Paricolor and To Fly Free all came from this trainer so hopefully this one can also do well!  We have not had him that long but he has done nothing but please us since he arrived.  He has taken to jumping like a duck to water and he will hopefully put a good show if he takes his chance.  Lady Reset has an entry on the flat at Chepstow on Saturday and Percy Street is entered on the level at Epsom.

The kids are now on half term and we have been making the most of the nice weather and have had a few trips to the sea side- we are spoilt with wonderful beaches close by to us in the West Country. A trip to Budleigh Salterton resulted in Jack catching two Mackerel from the shore but he bettered that with 9 caught at Brixham with grandad Green the following day!!

On Saturday we celebrated my father’s 76th birthday with a family meal out. Dad is still around the yard on a daily basis in good health and he keeps us all on our toes!