- Monday, 08 October 2012 20:40
- Written by David Pipe
It was a good weekend for the yard when we were repaid for the long journey up to Scotland with a winner at Kelso on Sunday. War Singer won the opening handicap hurdle with little fuss under Tom Scudamore who gave our five year old a canny ride by ignoring the frantic early pace. Our gelding had some very good form on the flat in France and has run some decent races for us on the level at some of the bigger tracks such as Newbury and Haydock. This was his first success over timber and while it was not the strongest of races, I hope that he can now build on this success and go on to take higher rank and record further victories over timber.
- Monday, 01 October 2012 15:39
- Written by David Pipe
Last week was a relatively quite one for the yard with only a couple of runners, one at Perth on Thursday and another at Market Rasen on Saturday. Unfortunately we did not experience the best of luck with either as The Tracey Shuffle fell at the second fence on his chasing debut after overjumping, while Qulinton twisted a shoe during the race and was never happy thereafter.
- Monday, 24 September 2012 15:16
- Written by David Pipe
Although I am not necessarily in agreement with the scheduling of the race calendar at this time of year and the enforced breaks from jump racing, it has afforded me the opportunity of a little holiday. Indeed, I have just returned from a week spent in the South West of France near Bergerac with Leanne and our two children. We enjoyed a nice, relaxing break and I am pleased to say that we managed to escape the rain that has obviously hit us on these shores.
- Monday, 17 September 2012 14:51
- Written by David Pipe
First of all I cannot start this week without wishing my mother a very happy birthday for today (Monday). A gentleman never divulges a woman’s age and the boss has informed me on more than one occasion that I am not yet too big to put across her knee, so I will keep “mum” on that one! She was treated to a fortnight’s holiday with my dad where they have been cruising around the islands in the Mediterranean. They returned back on Saturday, although after spending two weeks in a cabin with my father, I would imagine that she is well ready for another holiday!
- Tuesday, 11 September 2012 08:10
- Written by David Pipe
It Takes Time and Frank Hayes at the Western Counties Open Day on Sunday
Last week was a quiet one on the racing front with only one runner on the flat at Haydock on Friday and a brace of runners at Stratford on Saturday. I thought that War Singer performed creditably in a competitive 1m2f handicap at Haydock under Hayley Turner, sticking on well in the closing stages. Hayley said that the ground was plenty lively enough for him and he could now return to hurdling where he is more likely to get underfoot conditions to suit.
Over the sticks, His Excellency ran another sound race, finishing a close fourth in a quality handicap hurdle at Stratford. He looked the likeliest winner turning into the straight and although he drifted a little left in the closing stages, he was only beaten three lengths in total and looks capable of winning something similar in due course either over hurdles or fences.
- Monday, 03 September 2012 15:56
- Written by David Pipe
Enfant De Lune & Shoegazer
What a great day for the stable at Newton Abbot yesterday. Three winners including the feature races and some places was more than I could have hoped for. It was great that racing was able to go ahead after being in doubt for several days before. Sadly the first day of the two day summer festival had to be abandoned but it was great for the course that they were able to have some action on their biggest meeting of the year. There was a bumper crowd there to enjoy the eight race card and they were entertained by some good races. It was wonderful Newton Abbot were able to move their big chase that was due to be held on Saturday over to the Sunday which was great for owners, trainers and race goers. I ran four horses in the big handicap hurdle of the day and I honestly was not sure who was going to finish best of my quartet before the race! However I could not believe that Premier Dane was sent off such a big price and Ashbrittle quite so short although he obviously had his supporters. Tom Scu chose to ride Decoy and he was a little disappointing as was previous race winner Raslan but the ground was probably a little to soft for him. I was a little worried how Premier Dane would act on the ground but my worries proved unfounded as he seemed to absolutely love it! AP said he had an armchair ride!
- Tuesday, 28 August 2012 14:55
- Written by David Pipe
We had a nice winner last week when Katchmore (pictured above) produced something of a surprise to land a tight handicap hurdle over 2m4f at Ffos Las under Tom Scudamore on Thursday. It was his first conclusive try at the trip and they went a good pace given there were only five runners. Ffos Las is a wide open, galloping track yet he saw the race out well to record a personal best performance. This now opens up a whole host of other races that he could go for before eventually making the switch to fences. Katchmore has plenty of size and scope about him and if he jumps fences like his hurdles, he will make a really exciting recruit to the larger obstacles when the time comes.
