- Monday, 31 January 2022 15:22
- Written by David Pipe
Above: Neon Moon runs at Exeter on Wednesday
Following a busy week, last week was a quieter one with five runners from the stable. Although we didn’t hit the mark, the horses continued to run well, with four of those five reaching the frame. Looking at this week and we are likely to be a lot busier with a couple of runners this afternoon, five on Tuesday and eight on Wednesday, whilst there are plenty of other entries to boot.
Major Robinson ran with credit at Wetherby on Wednesday, finishing third in the 3m handicap hurdle. He seemed to see the longer trip out fine and has run a number of decent races over a variety of distances. He just seems to struggle to find that bit extra in the closing stages, although he has done more than enough to suggest that he can win something similar.
Heure de Gloire was another to prove her stamina over three miles when finishing third in the handicap hurdle at Doncaster on Friday. Considering she pulled quite hard, she stayed on well enough and would certainly have preferred a more testing surface. This opens up more options for her and she will be winning races when she learns to settle better.
Trusty Scout finished runner-up on the all-weather at Wolverhampton on Friday, chasing home the odds-on favourite on unfavourable terms. He has come out of the race fresh and well and will turn out again at the same track on Tuesday with Laura Pearson in the saddle.
Grangeclare Glory ran another solid race when third in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle at Doncaster on Saturday. He has been in good form all season long, only failing to reach the frame once when patently failing to stay. He should continue to be competitive in similar contests.
The Week Ahead
We look sure to have plenty of runners this week and kick-off today (Monday) with a couple of runners at Plumpton. Paricolor contests the 3m1f handicap hurdle and he has been a tremendous servant for the yard, winning nine times from just 22 starts since we bought him from a French claimer on the flat and he seems to be better than ever this season. He put up a good performance when winning at Bangor last month and has struck up a good rapport with Philip Armson.
Abaya du Mathan is our other runner as he contests the staying handicap chase. He faced tough tasks when contesting the Becher Chase and Sussex National but ran well last time when fourth at Wincanton and hopefully he can take another step forward today.
Things start to get a lot busier on Tuesday with five runners – four at Ffos Las and one at Wolverhampton. Shot Boii makes his handicap debut over hurdles and looks sure to benefit from this longer trip. Ben Lilly is the first of two runners for the David Pipe Racing Club and is another to make his handicap debut in the 2m handicap hurdle. A multiple winner on the level, he would appreciate drying ground.
Kotki is the club’s other runner and he makes his debut over fences. He looks sure to appreciate this longer trip and as a five year old, claims a handy 6lbs weight allowance. Doyen La Lutte is our final runner at the Welsh track, contesting the 2m4f mares’ handicap hurdle. She has to shoulder the burden of top weight, but the galloping nature of the track should suit and a reproduction of her Exeter effort when a close third, would give her claims. As I eluded to earlier, Trusty Scout turns out again at Wolverhampton.
On Wednesday we will have no less than eight runners with Morgenstern, Neon Moon, Last Quarter, Off My Rocco, d’Jango and Mr Tambourine Man at Exeter and Anglers Crag and Ladykiller at Leicester. Anglers Crag has been with us for a while and is a horse I have been looking forward to running. He makes his hurdling debut in the 2m4½f novices’ event. An Irish point-to-point winner with some smart form in bumpers behind the likes of champion bumper winner Sir Gerhard, he has been pleasing me at home and he looks a nice prospect for the future.
We have several entries at Wincanton on Thursday with five of those in the novices’ hurdle. Olympe de Gouges a likely runner at this stage, although I am unsure of the others at this time. El Paso Wood, who was a convincing winner of the Somerset National at the track last time out, could contest the 3m1f handicap chase on the card.
The action turns to Chepstow on Saturday where we have promising youngsters, Cadeau d’Or, Kingofthewest and Thanksforthehelp engaged, whilst on Saturday Sidi Ismael is our sole entry over the sticks at the weekend on Saturday in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh. Popular dual-purpose gelding, Leoncavallo holds an entry in the stayers’ fast-track qualifier on the all-weather at Kempton.
