Great To Be Back!

Above: d'Jango, a winner twice already this season, is one of five
runners at Worcester on Wednesday for Judith Wilson

Although we only had one runner over the weekend, it was great to be back racing after a couple of weeks without the jumps during the summer break.  It has seemed like a lot longer, but we were able to use the time constructively, finishing off the improvements to the roofs in the front yard and getting in the remainder of the winter campaigners.    Indeed, it is bustling around the place at present and there is a palpable air of anticipation amongst the staff.

Weather Changing

The prolonged dry spell continued last week with temperatures once again reaching the mid 30’s.  As such, our workday started at 6.30am from midweek onwards to combat the heat and I remain grateful to my team of staff for their efforts during these unforgiving conditions.

Actually, as I write this, I see rain falling around Pond House, although it is nothing of any significance at present.  Having said that, there are yellow weather warnings in place for thunderstorms over the next few days and I notice that Worcester are expecting 30-40mm of rain ahead of their meeting on Wednesday, so that could change quite quickly!

Reset Runs A Cracker

I was delighted to be back racing over the jumps on Saturday and we had one runner up at Perth on its resumption.  Lady Reset made the long journey worthwhile with a typically game effort to finish a close third in the 2m handicap hurdle.  This represented a significant step-up in class compared to her second success in the mares’ race at Stratford, but she coped with it extremely well.  Always handy, I thought for a stride or two approaching the last that she may actually win but she ran a great race nonetheless and this was another PB.

The Week Ahead

We have a quiet start to the week with no runners today or tomorrow, although that all changes on Wednesday when we will have seven runners at Worcester!  Abaya du Mathan will contest the 2m4f handicap chase at 4.29pm under the burden of topweight.  His profile is a little in and out but the drop back in trip should suit.

We are doubly represented in the 2m7f handicap chase with Red Happy (Tom Scudamore) and El Paso Wood (David Noonan) both running.  The former ran a great race from this mark when runner-up behind a useful type last time and had El Paso Wood behind that day.

Nibras Gold runs in the 2m novices’ hurdle at 6.05pm.  A dual winner on the level, he has made a promising start to his hurdling career, winning in good style over course and distance last time.  He has a bit to do at the weights with useful chaser Light N Strike on official figures, but he is in good order and you can’t be afraid of just one horse.

We have two runners in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at 6.40pm, Awesomedude (Tom Scudamore) and Al Roc (David Noonan).  Awesomedude is a second runner on the card for the excellent Value Racing Club and he was a good winner at Huntingdon on his seasonal reappearance, although he looked as though this longer trip was in order when staying on well in the closing stages at Market Rasen last time.  Al Roc has done extremely well, winning four times already this season over fences, although he is yet to replicate that form over timber despite a lower mark.

d’Jango (pictured above) is our final runner on the card (and a fifth for Judith Wilson) as he runs in the 2m7f handicap hurdle at 7.40pm.  A winner twice already this term over course and distance over hurdles and fences, he reverts to timber and is just that bit more fluent over the small obstacles.  He clearly likes it here and I hope he can go well again with Tom Scudamore in the saddle.

Dindin is a likely runner in the 3m2f handicap chase at Fontwell on Thursday.  He has been in good form of late, running a number of good races over shorter without quite managing to get his head in front.  He looks worth a try over this sort of trip.  Also on Thursday, over at Stratford, Port O ‘Clock could contest the staying handicap chase for the David Pipe Racing Club.  He has been knocking on the door since joining the stable and deserves to win a race – he stays very well and likes good ground.

At the weekend we have made several entries for Newton Abbot on Saturday, including the classy Umbrigado.  He is a likely runner in the 2m5½f handicap hurdle, whilst Cadeau d’Or, a useful performer on the flat, is an intended runner in the 2m1f handicap hurdle. 

Fully Booked

I have been very pleased with the uptake for our open morning for National Racehorse Week, which takes place next month.  This year’s event will be on Saturday 17th September and is already fully subscribed and we look forward to welcoming all of our visitors then and demonstrating the quality of care the horses enjoy at Pond House.

I am sorry if you have missed out on this opportunity, although if you would like to take a look behind the scenes at what goes on at the stable, members of the David Pipe Racing Club also enjoy an exclusive visit to the yard as just one of the many benefits of membership to the club.  If you would like more information on how to get involved, further details can be found by clicking here…