- Monday, 24 January 2022 15:57
- Written by David Pipe
We were treated to some excellent racing last week and I was delighted to be amongst the winners, with the stable claiming the Somerset National at Wincanton with El Paso Wood (pictured above), whilst Kingofthewest produced a most pleasing debut success at Taunton at the weekend. There were a number of other creditable efforts too, with several more runners reaching the frame.
Somerset National Success
Fergus and Judith Wilson have been long-standing patrons of Pond House and have always been keen advocates of the Grand National at Aintree. Their interest has burgeoned to the local nationals of late and I was delighted when El Paso Wood was able to land them the Somerset version at Wincanton on Thursday. A 3m2½f handicap chase, run at a sound gallop proved to be ideal for our ex-French recruit, who produced some prodigious leaps en route to recording a resounding 34 length success under conditional jockey Philip Armson.
Fergus Wilson sourced the horse himself from a claimer in France and following a fourth in the Surrey National with success here, he has quickly proven to be a shrewd purchase and I am sure that Fergus will have his eye on more staying handicaps for him, although Aintree may be a step too far this year.
El Paso Wood was giving Philip Armson the biggest win of his young career. He joined the Pond House team earlier in the season and has done well, riding a few winners, including a double last month at Bangor and he is good value for his 7lbs claim.
West Best At Taunton
Kingofthewest (pictured right) was our other winner last week, producing a good first effort under rules to land the maiden hurdle at Taunton on Saturday under Fergus Gillard. Runner-up on his only previous start in an Irish point-to-point, the form had been franked by the third (who had also beaten the runner-up here), so we were not without hope. A fine looking son of Westerner, he is likely to be well suited by a softer surface and a stiffer test of stamina in time and he is an exciting prospect for the future. I was especially pleased for his owners, the Friends from the West syndicate, which includes some new clients, so to make a winning start is sensational for them.
There were a number of other creditable efforts too last week, with Eden du Houx finishing a close second in the novices’ handicap chase at Chepstow on Monday. He rallied bravely after being headed and was closing on the winner all the way to the line. A versatile sort, who goes well over a variety of distances and ground, he looks sure to add to his tally over fences.
Red Lion Lad finished third on the same card in the staying handicap hurdle, coming from a very unpromising position to claim a place in the closing stages. This was a better run returned to hurdles, although he does looks to need an extreme test of stamina.
Al Roc took a step in the right direction when third in the veterans’ handicap chase at Plumpton on Wednesday, picking up some prize money, whilst it was a similar story for Abaya du Mathan who was fourth in the 2m4f handicap chase at Wincanton on Thursday. He was only nabbed for third close home and seems to be finding his level.
Ben Lilly ran with promise on only his second start for the David Pipe Racing Club when fourth in the novices hurdle at Newbury on Wednesday. The winner looks to be a smart type, so he was far from disgraced and now he is eligible for a handicap mark, there should be plenty more opportunities for him.
Leoncavallo ran his usual game race to finish third in the seniors’ handicap hurdle at Taunton on Saturday. He must be one of the most consistent horses around and he has finished in the frame on all six of his starts this season. He richly deserves to land one but we may look to run him next on the all-weather at Kempton on 5th February in a fast-track qualifier. Not only is he very tough, but he is versatile as well and has already won for us on the level.
Remastered was far from disgraced in finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Peter Marsh chase at Haydock on Saturday, although I had hoped he would go closer. We will look to drop him back in trip next time
The Week Ahead
Looking to this week and it promised to be a quiet start with our first runners not coming until Thursday at the earliest. Kotki and Major Robinson are entered at Wetherby, with the former likely to benefit from the step-up in trip in the conditional jockeys’ race.
Neon Moon could well head for the 2m4½f handicap hurdle at Huntingdon on Friday. He went well for a long way at Cheltenham on his reappearance in November but faded up the hill, but he had progressive form prior to that and has been pleasing at home.
Hurdling newcomer Cadeau d’or is engaged in the novices’ hurdle at Doncaster on Friday. A quality performer on the level, he has pleased me with his schooling at home. We still have a quarter share available in this handsome son of Le Havre – if you would be interested in getting involved with this exciting prospect, please do get in touch.
Heure de Gloire and Grangeclare Glory also hold entries at Donny, whilst Trusty Scout is an intended runner on the level at Wolverhampton on Friday where he will partnered by Laura Pearson.
Eden du Houx has a choice of engagements at Cheltenham on Saturday, whilst Shot Boii rounds out our entries for the week at Fontwell on Sunday.
Round Two
What a race between Shishkin and Energumene for the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday. It is great when these hyped match-up’s meet expectations with the main participants both running their races. Shiskin was a brave and deserving winner but I am looking forward to seeing the rematch in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham and I wouldn’t like to call it – much will depend on the ground on the day.
Well Done ARC
Finally, I would just like to say well done to the Arena Racing Company for the initiative of the Winter Million fixture at Lingfield on Friday and Sunday. It is a great idea to put a prestigious fixture at this time of the year and I was pleased to support it. They put up some great prize money and were rewarded with some great racing.
