- Monday, 06 April 2026 08:55
- Written by David Pipe
Easter Bonnet Competition Winners
In general, the horses continue to run well and it is a little frustrating not to have had a winner in recent days but with the continuing dry weather, several horses are now out of training. I always get worried at this time of year, courses do a great job of watering but it is just not the same as natural help from above and as the ground begins to tighten up I do not want to risk unnecessary problems.
Harry Junior ran well to be a close third at Wincanton, perhaps the course was a little on the sharp side for him but he battled all the way to the line. That is it for him for the season now, we will pop him over a fence before he goes out to grass and I am sure there is plenty more improvement to come from him in the autumn when he goes over the larger obstacles. Mancero ran his best race to date over hurdles to finish a never nearer fourth. The way the race worked out, with a clear leader who never came back to the field, we were never in a great position held up off the pace but for the first time he really stuck to his guns and galloped all the way to the line. He would have been third in another couple of strides and as long as he builds on this next time then he will win a race or two!
Jaipaletemps ran another solid race at Chepstow to be fourth. Stepped up in class and without Rian’s claim it was a much more difficult assignment for him but he ran his usual honest race and was only beaten eight lengths as the field finished in betting order. He sustained quite a nasty cut on his leg which cannot have helped but thankfully a brushing boot caught the worst of the blow and he is okay.
Neon Moon didn’t run as well as we had hoped and Cinammon Coco ran better for the first bit of his race but stopped very quickly once again. Back to the drawing board with him, he has a few issues and hopefully we can help him with these as the raw ability is definitely there. Green Sky ran her best race to date over hurdles to be a very close fourth at Newton Abbot. She did not have a very smooth journey and without all the traffic problems she can probably count as an unlucky loser. She enjoyed the quicker ground and on this evidence she can be found a winning opportunity soon.
Kingston Queen travelled to Fairyhouse for the Grade 1 Mares novices hurdle on Sunday but sadly she did not run to expectations. While a very tough race she had lots of things in her favour, with the soft conditions and extra distance but she did not show her usual guile and determination. She should have been capable of picking up some prize money at the very least but maybe the trip away did not suit. She seems fine after the race which is the main thing and she will be back in her own stable by Monday evening. That will be it for her now and after a good break there will be plenty to look forward to next season.
This Week
We will be quiet on the runners front this week but we do have Bashful Boy running on the flat at Kempton on bank holiday Monday. He goes in the final race of the day at 5.50pm and it is nice to have jockey Rob Hornby back on board. I am not sure we have had much luck in running in recent starts with different jockeys on board so Rob knows Bash well and has won on him a few times. He was only beaten just over 2 lengths into fourth at Lingfield last time and with the winner of that race winning again since the form is solid. Kempton will suit our veteran better and this race looks slightly easier on paper so fingers crossed he can get a deserved victory for the horse and his owners.
We did have entries at Exeter on Tuesday but didn’t end up declaring as they now have good to firm in their going description. Our next runners are unlikely to be until the weekend but again that will be ground dependant so keep checking the Daily News on the website for all the latest information.
Point to Point and Pony Racing Update
Well done to James Shaw who rode another winner over the weekend at Cherrybrook on his family owned horse so it was an extra special win. Ashley Dascombe had his first winner of the season but it came in the form of a walkover so while nice, hopefully he can have his first ‘proper’ win aboard Ben Lilly at Cothelstone on Monday afternoon. Ben Lilly faces a much easier assignment this afternoon in the opening hunt race than he did when a good second at Trebudannon last weekend. All being well with a clear round and a repeat of that run the duo can get off the mark for the season.
Jack Pipe rode at Maisemore Park on Friday 3rd April in the 148cm open race and finished third. Sadly, for all involved, the meeting could not take place at Cheltenham as intended but it was fantastic that organisers got the day re-arranged at such short notice. There was were lots of kids competing on the day and we had to wait for the lucky last for Jack’s race. Myself, Charlie Longsden and Richard Johnson all had the roles of leading up the ponies and it was quite a sight, all of us in the paddock doing that job! Toby Longsden’s pony is very fast and once again, over a mile Little Chiefy could not quite go the early gallop. Jack could have done no more and did suffer a bit of interference which probably cost him second place. Carrying more weight than his rivals again does not help his cause and out pony will be better over 1m4f when the races come along and when the handicapping system comes into effect. Jack had another good learning experience which is what it is all about and he is again looking forward to his next race which could be at Flete Park in a couple of weeks’ time.
Richard Johnson, Charlie Longsden & Me!
Rian Rides 20th Winner
Congratulations to our conditional Rian Corcoran who rode his 20th winner of the season at Market Rasen on Sunday. He has had a terrific first season as a professional and rides with maturity beyond his years. This means his claim reduces to five pounds but this is still great value and we look forward to supporting in his quest to become champion conditional jockey next season.
Easter Bonnet Competition
A few weeks ago my mum suggested a yard Easter bonnet making competition. To be honest, I said that no-one would do it but she said they would for a decent prize and she was right! My daughter Sophie produce a poster advertising the event and the judging day was on Easter Saturday. Mum invited Amanda Barrie and Hilary Bonner to judge and I have to say how amazed I was by the quality of bonnets on display on Saturday morning and loved that everyone had joined in and got in the spirit of things. All creations were placed on a table so they could be judged anonymously and the standard was truly exceptional. It was a hard task for the judges and the local newspaper came to take photos and a little article will appear later in the week. Congratulations to Bex Mason who won, Mel Dixon finished in second place and Sophie Pipe was third. A hot cross bun and glass of champagne was enjoyed by all and really helped everyone to get in the Easter spirit.
Grand National Week
While we do not have anything in this year’s big race I am looking forward to a trip to Aintree with Jack later in the week. There is some great action to look forward to across the three days and we are going up on Thursday for the sales and see the sights!
