Barrier Wins Exeter

Barrier Peaks yesterday at Exeter after his win

It was great to get a winner at Exeter yesterday, our first of 2023.  It has been a little frustrating in the last 10 days with a few seconds and the horses running well but just failing to get that winner and so it was nice to get that monkey off our back so to speak. Held up towards the rear, Barrier Peaks travelled strongly throughout under a patient Tom Scudamore.  He moved through the field smoothly as they turned for home and then challenged the favourite who was leading, just before two out.  He then went nicely clear without the jockey ever having to get too serious. 

This was our gelding’s first win of his career and he has improved with the addition of a tongue strap and step up in distance since going handicapping.  We thought he would stay the trip well but conditions were very testing at Exeter yesterday so it is always a slight worry but there really was no need to worry as he did everything easily in the end!  He won this off a rating of 76 and currently holds two further entries at the moment where he could run with a penalty.  His is entered at Huntingdon on Friday so we decide on declarations later this morning.  He also has an entry at Fontwell on Monday so we will see how he is and decide the best option for him, with suitable races at Chepstow on Tuesday as well.  It was a lovely win for the members of the David Pipe Racing Club who have been very patient and hopefully we can have plenty more winners in their black and white colours going forwards.

In the rest of yesterday’s action, Kepagge was a little disappointing but perhaps did not see out the trip. Angler’s Crag was running well until making a terrible blunder down the far side and basically from there it was race over.  He did well to stand up and although he tried to get back into the race he never looked happy and was ultimately well beaten despite finishing third.  He is a horse we like at home but unfortunately things have not gone to plan on the racecourse thus far.  I am sure once we find the key to him he will be winning soon.

New Age Dawning ran a good race from the front to finish second in the end in the three mile chase.  I thought he jumped and travelled as well as I have ever seen him but he just got a little tired from the bypassed second last.  The winner of the race is a course specialist and I think our chap ran his race and deserves to have his consistency rewarded with a win soon. I was a little worried Lock Out would not handle the heavy conditions but in fairness to him he seemed not to mind.  He quickened things up from the front as they rounded the home turn and kept on well enough to finish third.  I think he will appreciate a step up in trip next time.

There is no jumping actin for us to watch today with Leicester having been abandoned due to waterlogging a few days ago.  There isn’t even anything in Ireland but we do have two all-weather cards in Britain at Lingfield and Kempton to keep us entertained.

Last night it was the quarter finals of the EFL Cup in the football and my team, Manchester United beat Charlton 3-0.  In the other quarter final played last night, Newcastle beat Leicester 2-0.

The other quarter finals in the competition are played tonight.  Wolves travel to Nottingham Forest at 7.45pm while Southampton are at home to Man City at 8pm.  Come on Wolves!

When I was a kid, we bought a dog from a blacksmith.  As soon as we got home he made a bolt for the door!  Happy Wednesday!