- Monday, 22 August 2022 15:09
- Written by David Pipe
Despite drawing a blank last week, the majority of our runners performed creditably and we were rewarded with a few places here and there. With only a handful of jumps meetings this week (and many of those up country) we are likely to be a bit quieter this week, bar tomorrow where we will have runners at a couple of fixtures.
Forward planning
Speaking of which, there have been a few anomalies amongst the fixture list of late. I am aware that trying to fit the programme together so that it makes perfect sense is a thankless and frankly impossible job, but there have been a few days that have left me scratching my head.
Take tomorrow for instance, we are only just a few days removed from last week’s excellent Ebor meeting from York – one of the highlights of the flat season and there isn’t a flat card to be seen…not even on the all-weather. Meanwhile, last Tuesday there were four flat cards, three of which were held on the all-weather, whilst the turf card was at Hamilton. As I say, I am sure there are reasons for it, but I am struggling to fathom it.
Last week’s runners
I was pleased with the performance of Nibras Gold in the 2m novices’ hurdle at Worcester last Wednesday. A winner over staying trips on the level, he gave the winner, useful chaser, Light N Strike plenty to think about before conceding defeat late on. In giving the winner a penalty, this was another step forward on what he has already achieved over hurdles. Furthermore, he could improve for a greater stamina test in future and is a nice recruit for the Value Racing Club.
El Paso Wood was another to fill the runner-up spot. He finished second in the 2m5f handicap chase at Newton Abbot, posting another solid effort. On the same card, Cadeau d’Or was beaten only 3½ lengths under topweight in the 2m handicap hurdle. This was his first start after a wind operation and was a good step in the right direction. He should be winning something similar judged on this evidence. Duesenberg was another to run well at the Devon track, finishing fourth in the novices’ hurdle. A winner at around a mile on the flat, he saw this out well enough to suggest that he can win races over timber.
The Week Ahead
Looking to this week and it is going to be a bit quieter with all of runners coming tomorrow at Bangor and Worcester. d’Jango is the first of them as he contests the 2m7f handicap hurdle at Bangor at 1.45pm. Conditions should suit, although it looks a competitive race for the grade with three last time out scorers towards the head of the market.
Red Happy runs in the 3m handicap chase at 2.45pm and he ran well over course and distance when runner-up from this mark on his penultimate start, although he does have a below-par effort last time to overcome. Al Roc reverts to fences in the 2m4½f handicap chase at 3.15pm, although he would need to improve on his most recent outings over hurdles to figure.
Kolisi is our final runner at Bangor as he contests the 2m3½f handicap hurdle. He has been running consistently well and with this longer trip likely to suit, he should be right in the thick of things once again with Tom Scudamore in the saddle.
Over at Worcester, Kalma is our sole runner as she contests the 2m4f handicap hurdle in the colours of the David Pipe Racing Club. She was unlucky when carried out on her debut for the stable at Uttoxeter when delivering her challenge and was found to be in season next time, so you can draw a line through those two efforts. She is sure to be well supported by the enthusiastic group of members in attendance.
Further ahead, we have entered Adagio and Oceanline in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket at the beginning of October. It is a race that is always popular with the jumps trainers and I have had a couple of narrow misses in this valuable staying flat handicap, filling second and third spots with Mamlook. Adagio had some decent form in France before switching his attention successfully to hurdles, whilst Oceanline was also a progressive stayer on the flat. Both are certainly worth an entry at this stage.
A drop of rain
We had a couple of days of significant rain around Pond House last week, with 7mm on Tuesday and 29mm on Wednesday – more than the combined totals for April or August! I know some of the tracks had similar quantities and whilst it will take plenty more to alter the ground significantly, it is good to see the grass beginning to return to a more normal colour. There is more rain falling today and showers due over the next couple of days, although the longer range forecast continues to look largely dry.
Football Friendly
Finally, I am pleased to report success in the big match last week. Yes, the Pipe XI beat the Philip Hobbs team in a ‘friendly’ football match at West Buckland last Friday. Our team beat the old enemy 5-3 on this occasion, with my father-in-law, Pete, the star of the show, demonstrating to the young’uns how it is done at centre-half. We enjoyed a great barbecue afterwards and look forward to the return leg!
