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- Monday, 17 August 2020 07:14
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with flat cards from Catterick and Windsor supported by a jumps fixture from Uttoxeter. David has three runners today at Uttoxeter; Le Grand Rocher, I'lletyougonow and Story Of Friends. Le Grand Rocher makes his debut for the stable in the 2m4f novices' hurdle at 1.35pm. He is a lovely type and showed signs of ability last term, particularly behind Goshen at Fontwell in November. He will be aided by the overnight rain at the track and looks to have solid claims under Tom Scudamore.
I'lletyougonow contests the mares' handicap hurdle at 3.40pm following a couple of decent efforts in novices' hurdles. The winner was give too much rope last time and an opening mark of 104 looks just okay - feasible without suggesting she is thrown-in. Consequently she looks to have each-way claims in an open-looking contest.
Story Of Friends was staying-on well when coming to grief at the final hurdle at this track last time. That was over 2m and the step-up in trip looks likely to benefit him, especially as he has won over 2m3f at Warwick. He is 1lb lower this afternoon and with a clear round is another with place prospects under Tom Scudamore.
There was to be no winner over the weekend for the stable, but To Fly Free built on her Cartmel debut to finish runner-up in the juvenile hurdle at Market Rasen on Saturday. Held up to see the trip out better, she settled and jumped well under Fergus Gillard and stayed on to good effect after the last, closing on the odds-on favourite all the way to the line. There are certainly races to be won with her on this evidence and she looks like a nice addition to the David Pipe Racing Club. Our other runner, Paricolor proved a bit disappointing in the novices' handicap chase. His jumping wasn't quite as slick as on his chase debut, whilst he is yet to conclusively prove his stamina for the 2m5½f trip. He is obviously better than this and there will be other days for our four year old.
*****
What had looked a promising weekend of sport from my perspective ended up in predictable disappointment. Rain stopped play in the cricket between England and Pakistan meaning that the second test is certain to fade into a draw today, the Spanish Grand Prix failed to reproduce the dramatic events of Silverstone with normal service resumed as Lewis Hamilton had a nice Sunday drive in his Mercedes and the world snooker final was an uncompetitive affair with Ronnie O'Sulilvan polishing off Kyren Wilson 18-8.
*****
What do you call a man who can't stand? Neil!
I have just received a birthday card full of rice...it's from Uncle Ben!