- Monday, 04 January 2021 16:20
- Written by David Pipe
The Pond House team remained in good form as we bade goodbye (and good riddance!) to 2020. Indeed another couple of winners before New Year took our seasonal tally to 31 which I was quite happy with considering the amount of time missed earlier in the campaign. With (hopefully) another four months of the core season remaining, I will be aiming to increase that number considerably.
No Panic!
We struck at the first time of asking with Panic Attack (pictured above) landing the mares’ handicap hurdle at Newbury on Tuesday in very good style. A winner at Uttoxeter earlier in the season, she had disappointed for no obvious reason on her most recent outing in a hot Cheltenham handicap hurdle. Thus, I was happy and relieved in equal measure that she was able to show us what she is capable of here. She looked to be flat out for much of the way as she tracked the leaders, but jumping to the front early in the straight under Tom Scudamore, she drew right away in the closing stages and was never going better than she was at the line.
She looks for all the world as though she is going to be effective at further and her slick jumping is certainly an asset. It may be that she is better on a flatter track, but she remains an exciting mare to have in the yard.
Lucky Lion
Our final winner of 2020 was Little Red Lion (pictured right) who was successful in the staying novices’ handicap chase at Taunton on Wednesday 30th December under Fergus Gillard for the David Pipe Racing Club. They certainly had a little bit of fortune on their side as Little Red Lion looked booked for the runner-up spot when headed before the last fence. However, the leader veered badly towards the stands’ side, leaving the door open for Little Red Lion who ran straight and true to the line to grasp victory from the claws of defeat. The track was certainly on the sharp side for him, so it was testament to him that he was able to win this. Luck has a way of evening itself out and this perhaps atoned for when he was unluckily brought down on his chasing debut at Ffos Las earlier in the season?
We have given Little Red Lion an entry back over timber at Lingfield on Friday where he would be able to compete from his lower hurdles mark. He is a promising young stayer for the racing club and you too could be a part of the fun. Membership numbers to the David Pipe Racing Club are unlimited and the more members we have, the more horses we hope to have in training. For more information on how to join, click here.
Iron Heart had run creditably earlier in the day on the Taunton card, finishing third in the juvenile hurdle. A dual winner on the flat, he will probably be better suited to handicaps on slightly better ground and he should be capable of winning plenty of races. He is owned by the Decimus Racing syndicate and they have a couple of 1/10th shares remaining for sale. Give my office a call if you would like to get involved.
The Week Ahead
Looking to this week and we have had a couple of runners this afternoon at Fakenham with Orchard Thieves faring best in the 3m5f handicap chase.
Following the abandonments of Ludlow tomorrow and Ayr on Wednesday there are no jumps cards now until Thursday at the earliest. We have Umbrigado entered at Musselburgh on Thursday in a beginners’ chase. Runner-up on both his starts over hurdles and fences this season, this looks to be a good opportunity for him and he is an intended runner there. Also on Thursday, Thinking and Miss Tynte hold entries at Ffos Las.
Martinhal, Neon Moon, Grangeclare Glory, Gerciault Roque and Great Tempo are entered at Taunton on Friday, whilst the aforementioned Little Red Lion is entered on the same afternoon at Lingfield.
Chepstow have rescheduled their Welsh National fixture for Saturday and we could be doubly represented in the big one with Ramses de Teillee and Vieux Lion Rouge. Adagio has been entered in the Grade 1 Finale Junior Hurdle again, whilst promising sorts Bumpy Johnson and Red Lion Lad also feature among the entries on the card.
We have loads of entries on Sunday at Exeter and Southwell and we will take a look at the weather and opposition before deciding on the runners later in the week.
Passing of Zoe Davidson
Finally I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Zoe Davidson who sadly passed away at the weekend at the age of 60 following a long battle with cancer. I did not know Zoe personally but I was very aware of her being an extremely capable trainer. Racing is a very tightly-knit community and her passing will be felt throughout the industry. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to her family and friends.
