- Monday, 27 October 2025 14:48
- Written by David Pipe
We had just the three runners last week and while Order of the Dance could not back up his Ffos Las win, Harry Junior made a pleasing handicap debut at Worcester to be second. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and we should have taken Order of the Dance out following rain on the day, which softened the ground too much for his liking. Jockey Callum Pritchard did the sensible thing in pulling him up and we will make sure he is back on a sounder surface next time.
- Monday, 20 October 2025 10:38
- Written by David Pipe
Order of the Dance - Winner at Ffos Las
Order of the Dance made a winning stable debut at Ffos Las last week under a well-judged front running ride from Jack Tudor. He jumped very well, gradually wound things up from three out and went nicely clear of his rivals. This was his first ever win, having finishing runner up in Ireland three times when trained by the late Edward O’Grady.
- Monday, 13 October 2025 13:02
- Written by David Pipe
First Lord Du Cuet on the Gallops
It is hard not to start this week’s offerings on the topic of the weather once again! The meeting at Chepstow, is often seen by many National Hunt fans as the proper start to the jumps season and we were all set for a great few days of action only for the weather to dampen some of the enthusiasm. While we still did have some good racing, there were plenty of non-runners, including my intended weekend runners at the track because of the ground. ARC put on some great prize money and Chepstow ground staff did their best, but for a proper winter horse in my opinion it just was not soft enough. The rain will come and we know when it does it will not stop!
- Monday, 06 October 2025 14:26
- Written by David Pipe
October Hill - Horse For Sale
The countdown this week is to racing at Chepstow on Friday, which is the first of a now three day meeting at the track and is what many people see as the real jumps season getting underway. This year could be slightly different however; with the recent weather meaning that the ground will still be a little quicker than us trainers would like it for the ‘winter’ horses. Having said that, the hurdle races are being run on the flat course, which has been watered all summer, and this does make a huge difference, as the ground is likely to be genuinely good and safe. The ground is currently described as good to soft on the hurdles course and good on the chase track. They did not get any significant rain over the weekend and will be watering this week to maintain. The Welsh Champion hurdle has been moved back to the course (from Ffos Las) and will be run on Sunday with some great action to come before then as well.
- Monday, 29 September 2025 10:55
- Written by David Pipe
Lough Derg has passed away at he age of 25
Last week and this week remain fairly quiet on the runners front with Best Night being our only runner at Newton Abbot on Monday and nothing then until the weekend. Keep checking the Daily News on the website for all the latest news on this front.
- Monday, 22 September 2025 10:42
- Written by David Pipe
Newton Abbot Winner - Best Night
At times this summer, it has felt a long time on the racecourse with a smaller team of horses to go to war with but we have had lots of placing from our select runners. However, it was great to get that elusive first winner of the season at Newton Abbot on Friday.
- Monday, 15 September 2025 13:00
- Written by David Pipe
River Run Free
Last week, we sadly lost Hammer Dan at Uttoxeter races. He was in the process of running well in third place and travelling strongly when about to round the bend for home when Jack Tudor felt him go wrong and pulled him up quickly. He suffered a leg fracture and there was nothing that could be done for him but we would like to thank the vets and the racecourse for their swift actions in helping him. Our eight year old was the winner of two hurdle races and had been placed on all three of his previous starts this summer. Our thoughts are with his owners at this time and Sam who looked after him at home. Every horse plays their part in the community at the yard, he was a real character and we all will sadly miss him.
- Monday, 08 September 2025 11:11
- Written by David Pipe
We had just the one runner last week, Old Bridge who finished fourth over hurdles at Bangor. While I had hoped for a better result I don’t think he ran his true race for a couple of reasons and we know he is better than this. He seems fine after the race, which is the main thing, and I am sure he can bounce back next time.
- Monday, 01 September 2025 10:43
- Written by David Pipe
Family Spanish Padel
I have not long returned from a family holiday in Spain and we had a great week just outside Mijas with my parents and Gemma joining us as well. We had glorious sunshine throughout and while the kids spent most of the time in the pool, we managed to fit in a little round of golf, played some padel accompanied by plenty of eating, drinking and resting! The rain had started on our return and long may that continue!
- Monday, 25 August 2025 08:01
- Written by David Pipe
VLR Aintree Parade October 2023
I am currently away enjoying a few days break with my family in Spain but before I left I was at Worcester to see Old Bridge and Kintaro be placed. Old Bridge backed up his good run at Uttoxeter previously with a better second in the novices hurdle. He made the running on this occasion, Jack Tudor asked him for more approaching three out, and he really battled all the way to the line. He deserves to win a race now and surely his turn cannot be far away. Kintaro returned to form after some lesser efforts to be third in the 2m4f handicap hurdle. He is yet to win any race but does have ability and is just a bit of a character and has his own ideas about things. He gave our racing club members a good evening out and picked up some prize money in the process. He is definitely capable and there is no reason he cannot win a similar sort of contest.
