Near Misses

Above: Free Chakarte contests the first juvenile hurdle at Hexham this weekend

The horses continue in good form, although we were plagued by a run of seconds last week, with five of our twelve runners filling the runner-up spot.  Frustrating as it is, they are still picking up good prize money and I would rather be thereabouts than nowhere at all!  With the addition of another couple of quality horses from the sales ring last week, we continue to bolster our squad for the season ahead and I am very excited for what the new campaign holds in store for the Pond House team.

So Near…

As eluded to above, we had a number of near misses last week, the first three of which were for the David Pipe Racing Club.  Drag Race took a big step in the right direction when second in the novices’ handicap hurdle at Southwell on Tuesday.  She travelled well for much of the race and stuck to her guns well in the straight, although she could not quite reel in the leader.  Still only lightly raced, I hope she can build on this effort.

Ben Lilly finished second in the 2m5½f maiden hurdle at Newton Abbot on Wednesday, looking a danger to the winner turning in before staying on at one pace.  He shapes as though he could do with a stiffer test of stamina.  A multiple winner on the flat over staying distances, I am sure he will be picking up races sooner rather than later over hurdles.

Miss M made her debut over the larger obstacles when contesting the novices’ handicap chase on the same card.  Jumping well for her first attempt, she put up a decent performance to finish second to an unexposed favourite, in turn finishing well clear of the remainder.  This clearly demonstrated that there are races to be won with her over fences.  There were plenty of David Pipe Racing Club members present at Newton Abbot and I would like to extend my grateful thanks to everyone at the racecourse for looking after them so well.  The Racing Club is great value and great fun and has plenty of knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic members.  If you would like to find out more about the club, you can do so by clicking here…

Onto Cartmel and Romain de Senam ran another big race when runner-up in the staying handicap chase on Saturday under Tom Scudamore.  Headed after the last after attempting to make all, he kept on valiantly but was just held by a neck by the improving winner, who was completing a six-timer.  In trying to concede 20lbs, he was producing another good effort and he may well head for the Perth Gold Cup next.

Nibras Gold was another to perform well at Ffos Las on Saturday in the maiden hurdle.  A dual winner on the flat, he jumped nicely on his first start over timber and looked likely to score as he led at the last.  Sticking on well in the closing stages, he was just run down by the odds-on favourite close home.  This was a good first effort and he is another who should be winning sooner rather than later.  A stayer on the flat, he will probably benefit from further in time.

The Week Ahead

We started this week with one runner at Cartmel this afternoon (Monday) with Via Dolorosa who finished second in the 3m5½f veteran’s handicap chase.  He ran another sound race to finish but found the marathon trip of 3m5½f just beyond him.  Even so, he picked up more valuable prize money and clearly remains in good form.

Morgenstern runs in the 2m5f novices’ handicap chase at Newton Abbot on Wednesday.  His profile shows that he can be a little in and out, although he is more than capable at his best.

We have a number of entries at Uttoxeter and Ffos Las on Thursday with El Paso Wood a possible runner in the 2m6½f handicap chase, whilst the remainder are all for the David Pipe Racing Club.

Bashful Boy, who was narrowly denied in the Sussex Champion Hurdle on his penultimate start could go in the 2m2½ handicap hurdle.  A likeable sort, this slightly longer trip on this quick track should suit him well.  Itacare is also entered on the card in the 2m7f handicap hurdle.

Onto the weekend and we intend to run Free Chakarte in the juvenile hurdle (the first of the season) at Hexham on Saturday.  Koi Dodville won the race for us last year before adding to his tally at Newton Abbot, Cheltenham and Aintree and I hope she can do the same for ever enthusiastic owners, Stuart and Simon Mercer.  We picked Free Chakarte up after her second success on the flat in France and she has pleased me with her schooling at home.  El Paso Wood and Awesomedude are our other Saturday entries, holding engagements at Worcester.

The final meeting of the week comes at Perth and we could make the long journey up north with Romain de Senam, who may run in the Perth Gold Cup, whilst Kolisi is entered in the 2m handicap hurdle.

More Sales Success

I was pleased to add another couple of quality horses to the string with the purchase of Royal Defender and Sizing Pottsie at Newmarket last week.  Royal Defender was the wide-margin winner of his only start in an Irish point-to-point and is a son of King Sister, who was a full sister to my high-class hurdler/chaser, King’s Palace.  He is owned by Bryan Drew and Professor Caroline Tisdall and is a most exciting addition to the team.

Sizing Pottsie already has lots of quality form to his name in the book, the winner of a Grade 2 chase at Navan on his penultimate start; it is not every day you can get a horse rated in the 150’s at auction.  He will take his group of owners that includes Sean Tracey, Kenny Alexander, Josh Apiafi, Steve Harman, Menno and Nikki Kuyt (huge racing fans who are taking a first dip into ownership) to all of the big track and bring them plenty of excitement during the coming season.

We have a fantastic selection of other quality horses currently for sale to suit a variety of budgets and you can can find further details here...