- Monday, 24 February 2025 15:50
- Written by David Pipe
Gericault Roque
Cheltenham Handicap Weights Revealed this Week
Skin Full and Chauffeur Driven were our best runners of last week and both horses filled the runner up spots carrying the colours of owner Sarah Ling. We stepped Skin Full up in distance, to three miles for the first time under rules and he put in his best performance to date. He had finished second in and Irish point to point so we knew he would stay and he appreciated the better going and unfortunately, for us, he just lost out in a prolonged battle with the eventual winner. He showed a good attitude and galloped all the way to the line. I think we may have ‘bumped into one’ on this occasion and on this evidence our six year old is capable of winning a similar contest going forwards.
Chauffeur Driven, responded well to a first time visor and ran his best race yet in testing conditions, to be second at Exeter. It was jockey, Ben Bromley’s first ride for me, he rode him well, and the five pounds off his back that he claims was certainly a help. Reliability has not been this horse’s forte to date but it was a much more encouraging run. The ability is there and hopefully his winning turn is not far away. Lady Balko returned to form to be fourth in the Listed mares chase at Exeter and Deeper Blue made a pleasing stable debut in the competitive Ladbrokes handicap chase at Kempton on Saturday. He made a momentum-stopping mistake at the second last fence which probably cost him third or fourth place but he kept going to be fifth and won a nice little bit of prize money. There will be easier opportunities for him going forwards but this was a good start and we learned a bit more about him. Jaipaletemps improved on his stable debut to be third at Hereford on Sunday, appreciating the return to the larger obstacles.
This Week
Jilaijone was declared to run in the valuable Sussex stayer’s handicap hurdle at Plumpton on Monday but that meeting was unfortunately abandoned following lots of rain. This race was already re-arranged from a previously abandoned fixture so it is a shame they lost it again
River Run Free returns to Leicester on Tuesday, where he won over course and distance last time. The ground will be more testing this time but I do not think that will be too much of a problem. The handicapper raised him six pounds for his last win, which was fair, and I hope he can follow up with more improvement to come.
Saccary is our only runner at Wincanton on Thursday and he runs in the maiden hurdle. Conditions will once again be very testing and he needs to build on what he has done over hurdles so far to figure.
Later in the week, we have entries at Taunton and Ludlow on Thursday and Purple Owl could make his stable debut in the bumper at our local track. On Friday, Ocean Heights has an entry on the all-weather at Southwell while we have jumps entries at Ffos Las and Newbury.
At the weekend, King Turgeon has an entry in the Grimthorpe chase at Doncaster. He needs to bounce back from a rare bad run at Musselburgh last time and this looks like a suitable opportunity fot him. The ground is usually not quite so soft at Doncaster and it will be a return to a left-handed track which probably suits him better. We will see what the weather does in the coming days but keep checking the Daily News on the website for the latest news on the stable runners.
We confirmed Jurancon for the Morebattle hurdle at Kelso on Saturday but we have also entered him for Newbury on the same day. A few of the more fancied horses were not confirmed for the valuable race at Kelso so once again we will see what happens in the coming days before deciding where he might go.
Chemical Dave is our only other entry at the weekend and he may make his career debut in the four-year-old junior bumper at Doncaster on Sunday. I bought him as a store last year as he is has a good pedigree, being full-brother to our former inmate Manuelito and a half-brother to both Navajo Indy and Navajo Pass who are both multiple winners up to a good level. Our four year old as done all that we have asked of him and has been away for a racecourse gallop so it will be interesting to see how he gets on if he runs, it will be his first day at school!
Point to Point News
This weekend we could head to Larkhill on Sunday with African Lady who has and entry in the maiden and Royal Defender who is in the restricted race. Well done to our amateur jockeys, Martin McIntyre and Rian Corcoran who both rode winners between the flags at the weekend so it is good to have our team of jockeys in good form.
Cheltenham Handicap Weights
The weights for the Cheltenham handicap races are being released on Tuesday from a weights lunch at the racecourse. We do not have a lot entered but we will know more tomorrow afternoon about what may or may not get in some of the races. Please see below the horses we have entered:
King Turgeon – Ultima handicap chase
Belfrina – Fred Winter juvenile handicap hurdle
Gericault Roque – National Hunt novice’s handicap chase & Kim Muir amateur handicap chase
Deeper Blue – Kim Muir amateur handicap chase
American Sniper – Pertemps handicap hurdle
Gold In The Rivers – Pertemps handicap hurdle
Punta Del Este – Martin Pipe conditional jockey’s handicap hurdle
Pat Flynn Visit
Last week, Windbeneathmywings former trainer, Pat Flynn came to visit Pond House and see his former inmate. It is something he has always wanted to do, to see the gallops and meet my father so it was great to be able to welcome him to see the yard. He watched the gallops and told us a few tales over lunch. He also had a quick word with Mike Vince who was here also interviewing me and you can hear is thoughts by listening to the link below. Entries for the Champion Bumper at the Festival close on Tuesday and we shall be entering Windbeneathmywings. He is in good form at home and we cannot wait to get him to Cheltenham in two weeks’ time.
Cheltenham Festival Marquee
We have a hospitality marquee at the Cheltenham Festival each day again this year which provides a great base from which to enjoy a day’s action. We are sold out on Tuesday and Wednesday but we do still have badges available to purchase on Thursday and Friday. If you would like further information or would like to join us in the marquee and purchase a badge, please do get in touch by phoning the office 01884 840715 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
