- Monday, 27 June 2022 15:02
- Written by David Pipe
Despite our busy start to the campaign, I was able to steal away for a few days last week as we went to Portugal with some friends for some much needed r&r and I will be on my travels again later this week as I will be heading across the Channel for the sales at Deauville. In the meantime the horses continue to run well and a further two winners last week took our seasonal total to 16.
Nibras Strikes Gold
Nibras Gold (pictured above) managed to record his first success over timber at only his second attempt when a convincing winner of the maiden hurdle at Worcester on Wednesday under David Noonan. A useful stayer on the flat, he has taken really well to hurdling and after taking up the running turning in, he came nicely clear to win cosily. He was still showing signs of inexperience as he took a good look at the last, so he should continue to improve with experience and rates a nice prospect for the Value Racing Club.
Terrific Texard
What a difference four days can make! Texard put a disappointing effort at Worcester on Wednesday behind him when a battling winner of the 2m handicap chase at Uttoxeter on Sunday. An early mistake at Worcester always had him on the back foot, but there were no such errors yesterday. Given a well-judged front-running ride from Tom Scudamore, he jumped well and stuck to his guns when challenged in the straight to record a length success.
There were several other notable performance too, with Al Roc finishing second at Newton Abbot, American Sniper producing a promising debut under rules when runner-up in the Worcester bumper and Iron Heart filling the same position in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at the same track.
So Near But…
Iron Heart ran an absolute cracker to finish a close second to a very well handicapped type on his first start for the David Pipe Racing Club. He was their twelfth winner of the season and their sixth runner-up. He holds an entry at Perth on Thursday, where he would be able to run from an advantageous mark so we will give that some serious consideration. The Racing Club have been knocking on the door and it would be tremendous to get another winner for them. The club provides members with a lot of fun at a bargain price and you can be a part of the action with further details here…
The Week Ahead
We kick off this week with four runners at Southwell; Abaya du Mathan, Defi d’Oudairies, Do Ya Feel Lucky and Ben Lilly run there. Do Ya Feel Lucky bids to supplement her recent Worcester success, whilst Ben Lilly will be hoping to go one better for the David Pipe Racing Club in the 3m novices’ handicap hurdle.
Texard has come out of his latest start well and runs under a penalty at Stratford tomorrow.
Itacare will be our only runner on Wednesday as he contests the 2m7f handicap hurdle at Worcester. He has been in good form of late and should give a good account of himself once again.
Lady Reset is engaged at Epsom on Thursday where she has a couple of options, although she is more likely to contest the Lady Riders’ Derby. She ran another great race when narrowly beaten at Salisbury last time and just does not know how to run a bad race.
We have several entries at Newton Abbot on Friday, where Free Chakarte is a likely runner in the juvenile hurdle and Port O’Clock is a likely runner in the staying handicap chase. New recruit, Lock Out holds an entry in the bumper. The winner of the second of his two point-to-points, he has pleased in his work since joining the Pond House team and could make his rules debut at the Devon track.
Iron Heart, Koi Dodville, Al Roc and Awesomedude round out our entries at Market Rasen on Sunday.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Luke Harvey, who tied the knot at the weekend to Charlotte Best. I have to admit, I am surprised he has found someone who will put up with him! Joking aside, I couldn’t be more pleased for him and wish the happy couple every happiness for the future.
Deauville Sales
Finally, as eluded to earlier, I will be off to France on Thursday for the Arqana horses in training sale at Deauville on Friday. It has been a happy hunting ground for me in the past with purchases including Dynaste, Gevrey Chambertin, Vieux Lion Rouge and Dell’ Arca all sourced from here. Dynaste, a dual Grade One winner cost just €8,000 and whilst I can’t guarantee we will find another one of those, there are a number of good looking prospects in the catalogue.
We are in great form and if you would like to be a part of our friendly, winning team, do get in touch. We try to make the ownership experience as enjoyable and inclusive as possible and have some lovely young horses currently for sale, whilst we can also buy to order at the sales. Feel free to give us a call on 01884 840715 as I would be happy to have a no-obligation chat to discuss your requirements.
