- Tuesday, 09 February 2016 08:30
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
It was good to see Navanman follow-up his Towcester success of last week in decisive fashion at Fakenham yesterday afternoon. He carried 12-1 which included a 7lbs penalty, but even so he was 8lbs 'well-in' and seemed to win with that amount in hand. The step up in trip certainly seems to have brought about some. I see David has several more entries for him over the coming days and I would not be surprised to see him turned out again at some point. Our ex-Irish pointer put in a faultless round of jumping yesterday and will make up into a nice chaser at some point. I was amused to see travelling head lad Craig Wylie interviewed by Attheraces' Bob Cooper after the race. Cooper asked Craig how long he had been at Pond House and suggested that he didn't look any different after all these years. Wylie replied that he takes good care of himself with a rigorous daily moisturising routine! He is currently awaiting a call from Nivea. Meanwhile Conor O'Farrell was among the winners aboard an outside ride so it was a good day all round.
- Monday, 08 February 2016 08:30
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Well, it's another wet and windy start to the day and we have three meetings to look forward to with jumps action from Fakenham and Musselburgh as well as an all-weather flat card from Wolverhampton. David runs Navanman (pictured above) in the 4.20pm race at Fakenham which is a 2m7 1/2f handicap hurdle. He runs with a 7lbs penalty for his easy success last week at Towcester and if he reproduces that form he will win again. He is due to go up 15lbs in future handicaps, so he is effectively 8lbs 'well-in' this afternoon. As a former Irish pointer he should appreciate the extra distance and Tom Scudamore takes over on board.
- Sunday, 07 February 2016 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There are just two meetings taking place this afternoon with a jumps card from Musselburgh as well as an all-weather flat card from Chelmsford City. There is some good prize money on offer and the stable travels four runners all the way up to Scotland; Impulsive American, My Brother Sylvest, Unanimité and Mango Cap. Impulsive American has run consistently in novices' hurdles and as a four year old, he carries only 10-7 today. My Brother Sylvest runs in the handicap chase at 1.30pm and he would need to improve on most recent efforts to figure. Former French winner Mango Cap contests the Listed hurdle at 3pm and Unanimité steps up in trip in the £30,000 handicap hurdle qualifier - it is an extremely competitive race as you would expect for a race of that value. They have obviously managed to avoid all of the rain that we have endured over the past couple of days as it looks to be perfect jumping ground as the official description is good (good/soft in places). It is David's birthday today and he has flown up to Scotland so hopefully he will be able to celebrate a birthday winner.
- Saturday, 06 February 2016 08:38
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps action from Sandown, Ffos Las and Wetherby supported by an all-weather card from Lingfield. It is a busy day for the Pond House team with the stable having runners at all three jumps cards. Fingertips (pictured above) goes back to Sandown, the scene of his latest victory - there are only five runners but it does look like a competitive little contest and Daryl Jacob takes the ride. Meanwhile Tom Scudamore heads north for the ride aboard Katkeau in the handicap chase - he is unbeaten in both of his starts since switching to fences so let's hope he can maintain that record this afternoon. David Noonan takes the mount aboard the talented but enigmatic Gevrey Chambertin at Ffos Las (who have to survive a 9am inspection) - he is more than capable on his day and David claims a handy 5lbs off his back which could prove crucial on a day when conditions are certain to be testing. Our box drivers will be kept busy this weekend.
- Friday, 05 February 2016 08:36
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
The stable was among the winners again yesterday courtesy of the comfortable success of Navanman at Towcester in the 2m5f handicap hurdle. The longer trip certainly seemed to help him as he travelled powerfully under a confident ride from Kieron Edgar to take it up between the last two and draw clear after the last. He certainly appears capable of following-up and he will probably get further still having finished runner-up in an Irish point-to-point. He will jump fences in time too so there are plenty of options open to him.
- Thursday, 04 February 2016 08:30
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There was an excellent training performance yesterday from David to produce Prideofthecastle ready to win at Leicester after an absence of 690 days. Formerly a useful bumper and hurdles winner, he jumped well and can go on to better things over fences. He has always looked the type to make up into a decent chaser and rewarded the patience of everyone concerned with a smooth success. Hopefully Harry Drew won't mind me robbing his picture from the races (above)! Meanwhile, Pilgrims Bay ran another sound race to finish runner-up in the 2m4 1/2f handicap hurdle. He was conceding a stone to the easy winner following his monster 11lbs rise for his Wincanton head success. I expect the handicapper might even consider dropping him by 8 ounces!
- Wednesday, 03 February 2016 08:25
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with three jumps fixtures from Leicester, Newcastle and Ludlow as well as an all-weather flat card from Kempton. David has a couple of runners at Leicester; Prideofthecastle and Pilgrims Bay. Prideofthecastle is having his first start for 690 days - he had some good form before his absence, winning four times including a success on heavy ground. He has schooled well at home as you can see from the picture above and he will be partnered by Tom Scudamore. Pilgrims Bay won last time out at Wincanton on soft ground and was put up a whopping 11lbs for winning by a head...I think the handicapper must have got out of bed on the wrong side that morning! He has the latent talent to go close once again but Tom Scudamore will be holding on to him for as long as possible.
