- Monday, 28 October 2013 17:23
- Written by David Pipe
Despite the heavy downpours, we were able to finish the week on a high with a couple of nice winners in the staying handicap chases on Sunday at Wincanton. Standing Ovation continued his recent run of good form by taking the Desert Orchid Handicap Chase over the marathon trip of 3m3½f, while Franklin Roosevelt returned from his summer break to record a personal best in landing the 3m1½f handicap chase later on the same card.
- Monday, 21 October 2013 15:52
- Written by David Pipe
With the jumps season beginning to get serious I am pleased to report that the horses are in good form - a sentiment that is backed up by a couple of nice winners during the course of the week. Indeed, Standing Ovation followed-up his Exeter success with a ready victory at Wincanton’s first meeting of the season under another well-judged ride from Conor O’Farrell.
- Monday, 14 October 2013 12:56
- Written by David Pipe
- Monday, 07 October 2013 16:12
- Written by David Pipe
Although we had no runners until the end of the week, it has nonetheless been a productive few days for the yard with the successes of Kings Palace at Fontwell on Friday and My Brother Sylvest at Huntingdon on Sunday taking our seasonal tally to twenty winners.
- Monday, 30 September 2013 15:40
- Written by David Pipe
With a quiet week on the runners front I took the opportunity to spend a couple of days up in Scotland with owners Sean and Josie Tracey. We had an enjoyable time racing at Perth – I can’t remember the last time I was able to go along to a race meeting without having to rush around, saddle our runners, liaise with owners, discuss tactics with the jockeys and the like…it was certainly a nice change, but not something I would be looking to do on a regular basis! Whilst we were there the rain even relented long enough to get in a few holes of golf at the famous Gleneagles golf club.
- Monday, 23 September 2013 15:30
- Written by David Pipe
After another week with (next to) no jump racing, it was certainly good to be back with runners at a couple of meetings yesterday (Sunday). Although we didn’t hit the mark there were a couple of decent performances nonetheless from the likes of Purple ‘N Gold and Bathwick Man. Purple ‘N Gold has been in good form on the level - he appeared to be an unlucky loser at Sandown and it looked as though he may prevail yesterday on his handicap debut over hurdles at Plumpton.
- Monday, 16 September 2013 15:47
- Written by David Pipe
I was delighted by the success of Diamond’s Return at Uttoxeter last Wednesday. He has been a horse that has been quite difficult to place since notching up a quick hat-trick during the spring of 2012 but a recent third at Ffos Las over the longer distance of 2m4f suggested that he was well worth a try at three miles.
Given an ultra-confident ride by Conor O’Farrell, Diamond’s Return was held up right out the back of the field but made steady, relentless progress throughout the final mile, so much so that he was upsides at the last before quickening away to score by a cosy 2½ lengths. When things work out well these waiting rides are a joy to behold, when they do not however, they soon draw criticism and Conor went from hero to zero with some people in a matter of only 48 hours! Diamond’s Return was turned out again at Bangor two days later under a penalty and under similar tactics, failed to give his running and was pulled up. Some people fail to understand that horses are not machines and can sometimes have an off day and sadly on Friday he had one of those.
