- Monday, 21 November 2011 21:39
- Written by David Pipe
I'msingingtheblues was the first leg of a big race double for the yard on Saturday
Following on from the successes of Notus de la Tour and Wings of Icarus earlier last week, I was delighted that we could keep the momentum going with an across the card double on Saturday at Ascot and Haydock. Over at Ascot Hadden Frost produced a beautifully timed ride to score aboard I’msingingtheblues in the valuable 2m1f handicap chase. This was the horse’s first win since joining us and he certainly deserved to land a decent prize as he has been running creditably, reaching the frame in countless decent races from two to three miles without getting his head in front. Hopefully now that he has done it once, it won’t be so long before he can win again!
The second leg of our double came when Dynaste (pictured right) turned the fiercely competitive Fixed Brush handicap hurdle at Haydock into a procession under Conor O’Farrell. He led throughout and kicked clear turning for home and never looked in any danger as he sauntered home eight lengths ahead of his nearest pursuer.
We had won the race twelve months earlier with another dashing grey, Grands Crus and it was interesting listening to some of the comparisons that were being drawn between the two directly after the race. Indeed, Dynaste was winning from a 9lbs higher mark than Grands Crus did last year…I guess time will tell whether there was as much strength in depth in the field behind him. However, he can only beat what is put in front of him and he is clearly a very exciting prospect. It had been my intention to put him over fences sooner rather than later, but following his victory I might have to reconsider and see how far he can progress in the staying hurdlers division.
We bought Dynaste cheaply from the sales last year (for less than £7000!) and he won connections six times that amount on Saturday alone. It just goes to show that you do not need to spend vast sums of money to enjoy success at the highest level and he further enhances our track record of finding the right sort of horse for the right sort of money. If you are interested in purchasing a horse, please feel free to contact me for a no obligation chat about your requirements on 01884 840715 or alternatively you could e-mail me at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
It was the confirmations for Newbury’s Hennessy Gold Cup this morning and we left Great Endeavour in at this stage. The plan is to let our winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup take his chance in which only nineteen remain at the five day stage. While I have some reservations about the trip of 3m2f (especially if we have significant rain in the run up to Saturday), I am encouraged by the fact that he was able to finish a close third in a Cheltenham handicap hurdle over 3m1 1/2f on soft ground in November 2009. He will be ridden accordingly and we are hopeful that he will be able to put up a bold bid to emulate my father who completed the double with Celestial Gold back in 2004.
It looks to be a busy week ahead with runners at Lingfield and Southwell on Tuesday and Wetherby on Wednesday, while we also have entries at Taunton, Uttoxeter, Wolverhampton, Newbury, Towcester and Leicester for the remainder of the week. For the latest runners from the stable for the week ahead and news from the gallops take a look at Chester’s Daily Chat.
