Dawning Delivers

The stable was on the mark again last week, courtesy of New Age Dawning’s Ffos Las success on Wednesday, which took our seasonal tally to 21.  There were several other performances of note and the week ahead is looking busy, kicking off today (Monday) with no less than seven runners across the two jumps cards.

Dawning Delivers

I was delighted to get New Age Dawning (pictured above) back into the winners’ enclosure when he ran out a game winner of the 2m5f novices’ limited handicap chase at Ffos Las on Wednesday.  A promising novices’ hurdler back in the 2018/19 season, he has been beset by a number of niggling problems that had kept him off the track.  On this second start back from an absence of over 1,000 days, he was fully entitled to improve for his recent reappearance run at Exeter and so it proved.  Apart from a couple of minor errors, he jumped well in the main on only his second start over fences and kept on resolutely to withhold the favourite on the run-in.

It was great to reward the patience of his owners, Garth and Anne Broom, who have been long-standing supporters of the yard.  Hopefully, New Age Dawning can continue to repay them by progressing further – he is a horse we have always held in high regard and is still very lightly-raced.

There were other good performances during the week.  Trusty Scout ran well on his return to the flat to finish third at a big price in the 1m1½f handicap at Wolverhampton on Wednesday.  He stayed on well in the closing stages, suggesting that something similar should be within his compass and we may well try him over a bit further next time.

Crossing Lines was another one to make a pleasing return to action following a lengthy absence when third in the 2m3½f novices’ hurdle at Chepstow on Thursday.  He had some very smart form in Irish point-to-points when last seen 760 days ago and showed that he retains all of his ability here.  Trying to make all the running, he was only outpaced by the front two in the closing stages but still finished clear of the remainder.  He should come on for this and looks sure to benefit from a stiffer test of stamina and is very much a staying chaser in the making.

Morgenstern very nearly made the long trip to Wetherby pay off on Friday when a narrow (and unlucky) runner-up in the 2m handicap hurdle.  Having made much of the running, he was rallying gamely after being headed, only to be impeded by the eventual third on the run-in.  He managed to master that rival, only to be picked off by the winner, who had a clear run up the stands’ side rail, in the dying strides.  He revelled in the testing conditions and looks sure to win something similar before long.

Mr Clarkson Retires

Popular hurdler, Mr Clarkson (pictured right) ran his final race at Hereford on Tuesday.  The standard-bearer of the Pipe’s Prospectors syndicate for many years, he was showing his trademark guts and determination and still in front in the staying hurdle when making an error at the penultimate hurdle and unseating Philip Armson.  In his effort to stay upright, he injured a tendon that will prevent him from running again.  I am pleased to report that he is receiving the best of care at Pond House and after sufficient rest; he will be able to enjoy a long and happy retirement.

He won six races for the Pipe’s Prospectors, including the Betfred Hurdle Series Final at Sedgefield (where David Noonan rode out his claim) and the valuable Crystal Cup at Cartmel.  A real character around the yard, he will be very much missed by everyone at Pond House, although of course, the most important thing is that he will be able to enjoy a happy retirement.

The Week Ahead

Looking to this week and we kick off with seven runners today (one at Ludlow and six at Taunton).  Kolisi runs at Ludlow, whilst the David Pipe Racing Club has three runners at Taunton today; Ben Lilly, Drag Race and Miss M.  Also at Taunton, Grangeclare Glory runs in the 2m3½f novices hurdle – he ran well before failing to stay the trip over 3m last time at Aintree.  He has the favourite to beat but should go well again.  Classy flat performer, Titian contests the novices’ hurdle, although he may prefer better ground, whilst Leoncavallo doesn’t know how to run a bad race and should be right there again in the 2m3f handicap hurdle.

Itacare, Poker Play and Do Ya Feel Lucky all run at Exeter on Tuesday.  Paricolor could revert to fences at Bangor on Thursday, whilst Neon Moon holds an entry in the handicap hurdle.

Lincoln Nation winner Sidi Ismael is an intended runner in the North Yorkshire National at Catterick on Thursday.  The winner of all three of his starts since joining the Pond House team from the Doncaster Sales, he continues to improve and I am hopeful of another good effort from him.

Thanksforthehelp runs in the NH novices’ hurdle at Huntindon on Friday, whilst Kotki is an intended runner in the conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle on the same card.  Placed over hurdles in France, this will be Kotki’s debut on these shores and he runs in the colours of the David Pipe Racing Club.  The Racing Club offers great fun and value for any racing enthusiast and if you would like to be a part of the excitement, you can find more details here…