Fourty Up

     Shot Boii - 40th Winner of the Season

We have continued the good form of the yard with another couple of winners since last writing and in the last 14 days we are seven winners from 32 runners, a strike rate of 22%.  Shot Boii made a winning reappearance at Lingfield last Tuesday and he was our 40th winner of the campaign.  Bought as a store he slowly progressed throughout last season to win at Ffos Las before he went off the boil for his last couple of races.  He is a thorough stayer with a thoroughly likeable attitude.  Providing the handicapper doesn’t overreact I think he can continue to progress up the grades and he will be a lovely staying chaser one day as well.

It was terrific for the David Pipe Racing Club to get a winner at Taunton courtesy of Iron Heart winning under Philip Armson.  It is fair to say to say our members have been very patient and they have had to wait a while for a winner but it was a fantastic win and they all count!  About 28 members were there to cheer him into the winner’s enclosure and a fab day was had by all.  Iron Heart is not one to always totally rely on but he does have ability and he is a real character loved by all back at the yard, aka ‘Brian’ as he is affectionately known as at home! There were no bids in the auction after the race and I am sure he can continue to give the Club a lot of fun going forwards.  Don't forget you can join the club for just £100 a year, a great fun way to be involved in the yard without breaking the bank.

Iron Heart - Winner for the David Pipe Racing Club

Colony Queen continues to progress over hurdles with each run and she was a good second at Huntingdon.  Sidi Ismael ran a cracker at Cheltenham on Saturday to finish third in the three mile handicap hurdle.  The ground was not as soft as he would have liked but he stayed on dourly up the Cheltenham hill to finish a close third.  He still has a few pounds in hand over hurdles compared to his chase mark and he will continue to mix chasing and hurdling this season and there is another decent prize in him on some softer ground.  Dindin ran another solid race to finish second and pick up some more prize money at Fontwell on Sunday. 

CHELTENHAM REFLECTIONS

Astigar returned to action after a long absences to run in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle on the Friday.  He still had every chance at the second last hurdle but then got tired coming up the hill.  It was a pleasing come back and the most important thing is that he has come back out of the race well and we can get him out again and build on this next time.

Platinumcard was a little disappointing on stable debut in the 2 mile novices handicap hurdle.  In hindsight perhaps his preparation was a little rushed but we learnt a lot about him and he may step up in trip next time. 

Umbrigado ran well for a long way in the feature Paddy Power Gold Cup before not quite lasting home.  The winner and placed horses came from off the pace which was a strong gallop from the start and so it may have paid to have been a little more patient. 

CHELTENHAM GOING

I made both of my intended Sunday runners at Cheltenham non-runners on account of the ground being quicker than ideal for both horses.  It was safe ground and it was not an easy decision pulling out Sizing Pottsie when there was some great prize money on offer but we have to do what is best for the horse.  We know he wants softer ground to be at his best and there is a long winter ahead and there are plenty more opportunities for him to contest some nice races along the way.  He is entered at the weekend at both Ascot over fences and at Haydock over hurdles and he is likely to run wherever the ground is softest.  Similar comments can be applied for Ramses De Teillee.  He is now in the twilight of his career and to give him his best chance of winning the ground was not soft enough at Cheltenham.  He is now declared to run in the Veterans chase at Warwick on Wednesday.  It does seem to me that the drainage works at Cheltenham have almost had an adverse effect to the going in recent times.  While no-one can help the weather, it does seem like it drains too well and you don’t often get that soft a going at Prestbury Park these days.  Cleeve Hill perhaps protects the course from the worst of any weather and a bit like our local track Taunton, they seem to miss a lot of the rain that can be falling very close by.  While there is not an easy fix, I do think it is something that might need to be looked into ait more.  There were several non-runners throughout the meeting because of the ground and it is not great for racing to have withdrawals because of the ground being deemed too quick.

NEW RECRUIT FOR SALE

After racing at Cheltenham on Friday there are the sales that take place.  While we were under bidder on one of the top lots my wife has a good eye and could not let lot 48, Castle Daragh be lead out of the ring for just £14,000.  She bought the five year old son of Watar for £15,0000 and he is looking for an owner should anyone be interested.  He is by the same sire as Lock Out who she bought at Doncaster Sales in the Spring for £20,000 and he is now two from two for the stable having one a bumper and a hurdle race.  Castle Daragh coincidently got the same rating for winning his point to point at Port Rush as Lock Out – 88+.  He is a lovely big handsome bay – please see photo below – who is settling in well and had his first little canter this morning.  He is fit and ready to run and if you would like to find out more please do get in touch by telephone 01884 840715 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

             Castle Daragh - For Sale

DEAUVILLE SALES

I am currently at the Arqana Sales in Deauville today.  Gemma will let you know in the daily blog tomorrow morning how we got on and if we bought any horses!

THE WEEK AHEAD

The stable has runners throughout the week and Barrier Peaks and Last Quarter run at Lingfield on Tuesday.  On Wednesday we have declared Ramses De Teillee and Gwencily Berbas to run the veterans chase at Warwick while on Thursday we have entries at Wincanton and Market Rasen.  As we head to Friday and Saturday things are looking quite busy with entries at three meetings on both days.  It could be Ascot, Catterick and Chepstow on Friday while on Saturday we have entries at Ascot, Haydock and Huntingdon.  While I have already mentioned that Sizing Pottsie has entries at both meetings, Saturday could see the return of Main Fact.  He had a spin on the flat recently which has brought him on a lot and providing they get enough rain at Haydock he is likely to run in the Stayers hurdle alongside stable companion Brinkley.  He was the winner of this race two years ago off the same rating of 147 and while it is asking a lot now that he is nine years of age, he is in good form at home and it will be good to get him back out on the track over hurdles.  On Sunday racing returns to our local track of Exeter and we have a few entries there as well.  Keep checking the daily blog for further updates on our runners.