- Thursday, 29 March 2012 07:02
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
We had another winner at Taunton yesterday afternoon as Arab League made the most of a good piece of placing by David to land the novices' hurdle with the minimum of fuss. Despite carrying a hefty penalty for his three previous successes, this was largely offset by young Frank Hayes' 10lbs claim. Frank was winning his second race over timber, on the same course and horse as his first - he clearly gets on well with Arab League who continues to prosper since joining Pond House. Winning owner Stuart Mercer (the one with the illuminous ties) was interviewed afterwards and said "I have been with the Pipe's for 20 years...you don't get that for murder!"
- Wednesday, 28 March 2012 07:04
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Arab League after Winning at
Taunton Last Time
The stable has four runners at local track Taunton this afternoon, Arab League, Dukes Art, Woodlark Island and On Khee. It is glorious sunshine once again and I am sre it will be a hot afternoon at Taunton both on and off the track! Arab League is a big odds on chance in the Racing Post and young Francis Hayes takes a valuable ten pounds off his back. Frank has won on the gelding before and he is already twice a course winner this season. Woodlark Island was a winner at Wincanton last time out and On Khee was second at Plumpton on her last outing. Fingers crossed David may have a good afternoon! On Khee was last seen at the Cheltenham Festival running in the charity race with atthreraces presenter Gina Bryce in the saddle. She ran well that day to finish fifth and it is hoped she can open her account over hurdles this afternoon.
- Tuesday, 27 March 2012 07:51
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
We have three runners this afternoon, Unex Degas who contests his first hurdle race at Taunton under Conor O'Farrell and Presenting Ace and Frosted Grape at Market Rasen who are both partnered by Tom Scudamore. Frosted Grape is back from a little break and looks reasonably treated back on her last winning chase mark of 120, while Presenting Ace is eased in grade following his run in the fiercely competitive EBF Final at Sandown the weekend before Cheltenham.
- Monday, 26 March 2012 07:26
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
According to the bookmakers, Richard Johnson may not finish runner-up to A P McCoy in this season's jump jockeys' championship. While McCoy has been an imovable force at the top of the table (currently set for an incredible seventeeth successive championship), Johnson has been the perennial bridesmaid, finishing runner-up on no less than fourteen occasions. That could all be different this time around however as Jason Maguire is challenging for the runner-up spot and has the powerful Donald McCain yard behind him. I must admit, I do feel a little bit sorry for Richard Johnson (not that for one minute he would want my pity) - can you imagine the acclaim he would have been receiving if McCoy had been around in a different era? Johnson has ridden more winners than any other jockey in British jump racing history!
- Sunday, 25 March 2012 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It's a quiet day for the stable with no runners this afternoon, although there is jumping action taking place at Wincanton and Hexham. They are two very different types of track - Hexham is very stiff, while Wincanton is a speed track. I still remember David getting beaten on a very short priced favourite at Hexham during his riding career - the horse was called Liadett and that's about all you need to know! He didn't half get some stick from the crowd afterwards - fortunately he has proven to be a far better trainer than jockey (although he was still a lot more successful as a jockey than his father ever was!).
- Saturday, 24 March 2012 08:17
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It was another great day for the yard yesterday with a treble at Newbury courtesy of Goulanes, Dream Esteem and Midnight Tuesday. The first two completed a double for jockey Tom Scudamore, while young Tom Bellamy completed the hat-trick for the yard aboard Midnight Tuesday in the (eventful) hands and heels race. We return to the Berkshire venue with two further runners this afternoon, Faasel and War Singer. Tom Scu is reunited with the enigmatic but talented Faasel, who is still capable of a decent level of form at the age of eleven as he demonstrated when winning at Doncaster on his penultimate start. Let's hope the stable's fine run of form continues.
- Friday, 23 March 2012 08:27
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Today the stable has four runners at Newbury. Arrayan, Dream Esteem (pictured winning at Chepstow last time) and Midnight Tuesday are joined by stable debutant Goulanes. Goulanes was a winner of an Irish point-to-point and could be interesting, while young Tom Bellamy comes in for the ride aboard Midnight Tuesday in the hands and heels novices' handicap hurdle for conditional and amateur jockeys.
