- Monday, 03 August 2020 15:13
- Written by David Pipe
Whilst last week was a quiet one for the stable with just one runner over hurdles and a couple on the level, this week promises to be considerably busier with more National Hunt fixtures taking place despite today being a blank for fans of the jumps.
- Monday, 27 July 2020 14:49
- Written by David Pipe
I was thrilled to get off the mark for the new season at Stratford last week. Leoncavallo’s first chase success was certainly the highlight of the week, although there were several other noteworthy performances to look back upon too. Meanwhile, we welcomed a new arrival from the Arqana Sales who I hope you will be hearing more about in the coming weeks.
- Monday, 20 July 2020 14:35
- Written by David Pipe
Although there were only a couple of racecourse runners last week, there was still plenty to keep us occupied. The horses continue to come back in from their summer holidays, whilst we are always on the lookout for new talent. With plenty of racing overseas and more sales taking place there are an increasing number of opportunities to do just that.
- Monday, 13 July 2020 11:50
- Written by David Pipe
Kings Socks
I had a few runners last week and a few made the winners enclosure but it is a little frustrating to still be looking for the elusive first winner since the restart. Le Grand Rocher travelled to Uttoxeter on Monday but did not run as I felt the ground had dried out a little too much for him. He is a lovely big four year old that I did not want to risk on the quickish ground at the track. While he is fit and raring to go and I am very much looking forward to seeing him make his stable debut it will hopefully rain again soon, even though the forecast for this week looks fairly dry! It is important to do right by the horse and hopefully we can get him out soon.
- Monday, 06 July 2020 10:53
- Written by David Pipe
Leoncavallo runs at Market Rasen Friday
Jump racing is back! I thought the return of National Hunt racing went well at Southwell last week so congratulations to all those involved in getting action back underway, once again I think everyone has done a good job. After a few days break it is great to have some more regular action return this week. I have a few runners at Uttoxeter today, Teaser runs at Newton Abbot on Tuesday and then Lady Reset and I’lletyougonow are in action over hurdles at Stratford on Wednesday.
- Monday, 22 June 2020 10:17
- Written by David Pipe
Another week as past and we are another week closer to the returning of some jumping action at Southwell on 1st July, the first meeting back. With that in mind Tom Scu and David Noonan were both in riding out this morning and long with Fergus Gillard we have done some schooling with the horses. After a very dry couple of months we saw some welcome rain last week which has seen the grass turn back green and it is good going underfoot. When I say we had some rain last week, we had a lot in quite a short space of time!
- Monday, 15 June 2020 11:15
- Written by David Pipe
Jockey Jason Watson rode Leoncavallo
Leoncavallo ran a super race at Sandown on Saturday, beaten a nose in a photo finish. He was making his stable debut for the Value Racing Club and was having his first start on the flat since 2016. Jockey Jason Watson was having his first ride for me as well and he rode a good race. He broke from the stalls well, travelled nicely behind the leaders throughout before Jason asked him to quicken on as they entered the straight. He hung slightly to the right towards the finish which did not help his cause but he battled well and only just lost out on the nod. He will probably appreciate an even stiffer test of stamina on the level having already won over two miles before but I am really looking forward to getting him out over hurdles later this summer. He as a really likeable attitude and loves his racing. I just wish I had had my camera with me yesterday morning as he went out for some grass in a little paddock; he was absolutely covered in mud from head to toe and he had a lovely time out there!
