- Monday, 25 March 2013 15:52
- Written by David Pipe
As is normally the case after Cheltenham and prior to Aintree, there is often something of a lull between Festival’s and this certainly hasn’t been aided by the atrocious weather that we have been experiencing of late. Indeed the elements were responsible for the loss of seven meetings in this country alone last week and things haven’t started too much better with both Taunton and Towcester abandoning today’s (Monday’s) cards.
- Tuesday, 19 March 2013 13:00
- Written by David Pipe
The saying goes that racing is a great leveller and last week certainly proved that old adage correct. A week of highs and lows started on Monday with an across the card double at Plumpton and Taunton and ended with a fantastic third consecutive success in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter, in between that was the small matter of the Cheltenham Festival…
- Monday, 11 March 2013 16:56
- Written by David Pipe
I am sure by now you will have heard that after much deliberating and careful consideration we have decided to run exciting novice chaser Dynaste in the Jewson on Thursday. With the ground officially still soft and unlikely to get much quicker; it seemed the most prudent option when you take into account that he will have some lovely fresh ground to race on on the new course. The RSA has a habit of turning into something of a slog and with the tactical speed and accurate jumping he possesses; the shorter event seemed the most logical choice.
- Monday, 04 March 2013 16:40
- Written by David Pipe
The latest news ahead of the Cheltenham Festival? There is no news! Despite speculation to the contrary, there has still been no decision made on Dynaste’s target next week (Jewson or RSA) and in all likelihood there will not be until the declarations need to be made for the first of those races next Monday. At that point we will have every conceivable piece of information at hand to make the correct decision for the horse – blood test results, likely rivals in each race etc. The decision really is in the balance and I am yet to reach an agreement with my father!
- Monday, 25 February 2013 16:09
- Written by David Pipe
With nine victories last week, our tally has moved onto 87 winners for the season and with only two weeks to go (I know, I can’t believe it either!) until the start of the Cheltenham Festival, the stable could barely be in better form.
- Monday, 18 February 2013 16:31
- Written by David Pipe
It has already been a good start to what looks like a busy week as the countdown to the Cheltenham Festival begins to reach fever pitch. With only three weeks to go until the finest four days of jumping action on the racing calendar I am delighted that the stable continues to fire in the winners. Franklin Roosevelt was a ready winner of the handicap chase at Southwell today (Monday) in the hands of Tom Scudamore on only his third start over fences. He saw out the trip of 3m2f well enough, is still relatively lightly raced and should be capable of winning again granted similar conditions.
- Monday, 11 February 2013 16:23
- Written by David Pipe
I’m not sure that turning 40 is something to celebrate, but there were five other good reasons last week with the successes of Shotavodka, Broadway Buffalo, Alderluck, Vieux Lion Rouge and The Liquidator! Despite my reservations, I did in fact have a thoroughly enjoyable day on Thursday capped off by the (appropriate!) success of Shotavodka at Taunton and a surprise birthday party at Pond House on Thursday evening. I would just like to thank everyone who sent kind messages on the social networking websites - they are very much appreciated.
- Monday, 04 February 2013 16:20
- Written by David Pipe
Despite a handful of abandonments, it was testament to the great work of the ground staff at the racecourses that the baulk of the meetings were able to go ahead last week. With the excellent facilities at our disposal we normally hit the ground running after enforced ‘weather breaks’ and so that trend was maintained with seven winners during the course of the week.
- Monday, 28 January 2013 14:59
- Written by David Pipe
What an eventful week! Sadly the weather certainly played its part with heavy snow, freezing temperatures and more recently rainfall and flooding wreaking havoc with the jumps calendar and leaving Ayr and Cheltenham (and a jumpers’ bumper meeting) as the only National Hunt action taking place on these shores.
- Monday, 21 January 2013 13:25
- Written by David Pipe
It’s a great pity that snow interrupted the racing last week as we continued in flying form with three gutsy winners from our four runners and a success on each day from Monday through Wednesday. The stable had no runners Thursday but sadly come Friday the big freeze was on and the jump racing calendar was obliterated.
