Another Double!

    Behind The Curtain after his win!
It was nearly a double for the David Pipe Racing Club yesterday but not quite!  Well done to jockey Martin McIntyre who rode his first winner for David yesterday when steering Behind the Curtain to victory in the amateur handicap hurdle at Wincanton.  We did think he was too big a price in the betting, but it was a lovely surprise to see him win at 50/1!  This was his first start over hurdles for the yard after two runs over hurdles where he fell at the first and pulled up at the last.  He is a very lightly raced ten year old who had had over 1000 days off the track before running for us this season.  He had won a bumper in Ireland but that was five years ago so it has been a long time between drinks! 

It was lovely to reward everyone’s patience however as he shows plenty of ability and enthusiasm at home but has had a few injuries and so this was a terrific result all-round yesterday for the horse.  Martin McIntyre has had plenty of point to point winners but this was his 17^th under rules.  He works full time in the yard and does a lot of the schooling and work with the young horses at home and so it was lovely for him to get this win as well.

Only Fools ran another great race but couldn’t quite follow up her Fontwell win from last week and was a close second.  It looked like she had her rivals covered rounding the home bend, but the eventual winner came from the clouds to win.  It was a great run from our mare, carrying seven pounds more than last time and there is plenty more fun to be had with her going forwards.  She is very versatile with regards to track, trip and ground and has a very likeable attitude to boot.

Johannes and Dances on the Sand were both a little disappointing in their race.  Both are better than what they showed so I am sure they can put these efforts behind them next time.

Our day was rounded up with a double after Jurancon won the last race at Hereford! After a lovely ride given by Jack Tudor, he won his race nicely and he will be a nice horse for the future!

Today we just have the one runner at Wetherby Royal Mer.  He runs in the 3.20pm handicap chase over 1m7f and Jack Tudor rides.  He has won three chases this season and has been admirably consistent throughout.  He won at Ffos Las initially and has followed that with two wins at Leicester.  The first two wins were over 2m4f but he didn’t mind the drop back to two miles last time when Harry Cobden was on board.  He races off a career high handicap mark today of 107 but he is favourite in the betting and looks to have a good chance.  The track and ground will suit so fingers crossed.

There is also jumps racing at Fontwell this afternoon should they pass their 8am inspection, while there is some all-weather flat action at Southwell this evening, the first race at 4.25pm.  It is another blank day for racing in Ireland with Clonmel abandoned already.

I just wanted to take a moment to wish Ben Curtis the very best of luck with his riding career in America.  He has had a successful winter over there and has had 43 winners based at Fair Grounds at New Orleans.  The 34 year old has not decided to make the mover permanent and continue his career out there.  He has had a very successful career in Ireland and Britain but like for so many it gets more and more difficult to compete for rides.  He has ridden a few winners for David on the flat, including Main Fact and seemed a lovely chap as well as a very good jockey.

I also wanted to wish James Smith a very happy 50^th birthday today!  James and I worked together for many years in the Pond House office and he used to write the Daily news far better than I do!  I hope you have a great day!

Someone replaced all of the buttons in the elevator.

It was wrong on so many levels!

  Jurancon after his win at Hereford!