- Monday, 21 August 2023 13:24
- Written by David Pipe
Duc De Beauchene
With no jumps racing last week until it returned on Saturday we were once again quiet on the runner’s front with just two over the weekend up at Perth. Lady Reset was due to run on the flat at Newbury on Friday but heavy rain during the morning meant our lorry did not even set off for the racecourse and we stayed at home. She does handle good to soft going but she definitely prefers to hear her hooves rattle and there are other opportunities coming up. Meanwhile up at Perth, things did not go to plan at Perth when Red Happy got out of position in a slowly run race and Favori De Sivola was a little outpaced in his race having won over 3m6f last season.
This Week
This Week we have runners over jumps at Newton Abbot and Worcester on Tuesday and later in the week we have some at Fontwell on Thursday. We also have Ocean Heights entered on the flat at Chelmsford on Thursday and Bashful Boy and Myristca at Goodwood on Friday. Keep checking the Daily News for more news of the runners throughout the week. There is actually only one jumps meeting at the weekend, up at Cartmel so everything continues to remain a little fragmented at the moment.
Memorial Lunch
Dad and I attended a lunch in memory of our former ‘blood man’ Barry Allen last week at the Hankridge Arms in Taunton. Philip and Sarah Hobbs, Richard Phillips and vet Buffy Shirley-Bevan were amongst those that came. It was fun reminiscing on past memories and Richard always brings humour to any story! I am sure Barry would have been looking down on us all and smiling, well there would have been a few expletives and he probably would have cursed us for making a fuss but it was could to catch up with everyone including his former wife Karen.
Horses in Training
Continuing on from last week and in alphabetical order, please find to follow a few more horses we have in training for the season ahead.
Brinkley
High class on his day but had a season to forget last time around. The handicapper has given him some help so hopefully he can re-capture his form of old this time around after his summer holiday. Needs heavy ground to be at his best and could mix chasing and hurdling.
Bumpy Johnson
A wind op mid-way through last season brought about improved form from our seven year old. He won twice and was placed on the other two occasions. 2m4f seems his ideal trip and still further improvement to come. Likely to be seen over fences this winter.
Chauffeur Driven
A new addition to the team purchased from Cheltenham Sales. He is the winner of his only start to date in an Irish point-to-point at Bartlemy gaining a rating of 93+. Lovely prospect for bumpers and novices hurdling this season.
Dances on the Sand
A lovely big homebred gelding who has shown promise in three novice hurdles. Sadly, he picked up an injury after his last run in May 2022 and has been off the track since but back in training and hopefully he will be back on the track in the second half of the season.
Dindin
The winner of 13 races in his career, including two for the David Pipe Racing Club and over £240,000 in prize money. A winner at Worcester this season and runner up at Stratford he will continue to give us all a lot of fun going forwards.
D’jango
An admirable veteran who has won six races in his career. D’Jango usually runs a solid race and the stiffer the test of stamina the better. Will continue to mix chasing and hurdling.
Duc De Beauchene
A six-time winner in his career, he has been at Pond House since he was an unraced youngster. The application of blinkers brought about improved form in the spring as he won two chases, including the Norfolk National and was placed four times as well showing a liking for slightly better ground. He has just returned from his summer holiday and so won’t be on the track for a bit.
Eden Du Houx
He started his season in France last year and is something we may consider doing again with him as he loves soft/heavy going. He also loves Ffos Las and he won for the second time at the track over fences last November. Talented and very good on his day, but he does have lesser days as well!
Favori De Sivola
A winner of 5 races in his career to date over fences, he is a relatively new recruit to the yard. He did make his stable debut at Perth over the weekend but unfortunately the race was an insufficient stamina test for him. Goes nicely at home and capable of winning off his current mark.
First Lord Du Cuet
A little frustrating that he did not get his head in front last season but was consistent and ran well in all his races including a super effort to be fourth in the Grand National Trial at Haydock. Had a wind operation over the summer and a first chase win cannot be far away.
