JUMPS racing returned last Monday following a three-week break and we returned to action with a bang with a winner at Worcester followed by a Newton Abbot double as well.
Oceanline won his second race over hurdles at Worcester, winning the 2m7f handicap hurdle with Jack Tudor riding. Our six year old had been in fairly good form in three runs on the flat so far this summer and it was great for him to transfer this to hurdles. He was towards the front throughout but led leaving the back straight the last time and was never caught. He was idling a little on the run-in but was always just doing enough.
Our Newton Abbot double came thanks to stable debutant, Sirekoff and Via Dante who won the lucky last. I bought Sirekoff at Doncaster sales last month after he finished second on his last run in Ireland in a maiden hurdle. The winner of that race has won again since so the form was good and it was a pleasing stable debut from our five year old. I thought the track might be a little sharp for him over 2m2f but he travelled strongly, jumped well and kept finding for pressure when Jack Tudor asked him. This was his owner, Mark Boulton (South West Rail Solutions) first ever runner so it was an emotional and brilliant success for everyone!
Via Dante is a character and it was very pleasing to finally get a win from the seven year old. He has been at the yard since he was an unraced three year old and has tried my patience many times as we know he has ability. He has always promised more but things haven’t happened for him so it's great things came together on the same day to produce a win.
There were lots of members of the David Pipe Racing Club present to welcome him into the winners enclosure and after Dindin also ran a nice race to be third in the chase earlier in the day they were all delighted having backed them both each way at big prices!
You too could join the fun of the David Pipe Racing Club, for just £150 a year. You get plenty of action on the track and lots of regular updates about the six horses currently running in the black and white colours. We also have a club morning coming up in September so now is a great time to join as you get a visit to the yard to meet the horses very soon as well. For more information and to join, Email [email protected] or Telephone 01884 840715.
It wasn’t quite a fairy tale start for young Jack Pipe’s first runner, African Lady who finished unplaced at Worcester on her stable debut. We have found a possible reason for her slightly disappointing display post-race, which we can help her with however. This combined with the handicapper giving her some help, he is going to drop her five pounds we have not given up hope just yet and we will be looking forward to getting her back on track again next month.
On Tuesday we had Ocean Heights and Pub Crawl running at Stratford, while on Wednesday Back in the Bay and Micronormous had entries at Worcester. On Thursday Final Entry and Mr Tambourine Man ran on the flat at Ffos Las.
Bashful Boy, Saucats and Kintaro have entries at Fontwell on Friday and at the weekend we have entries at Newton Abbot, and Worcester so keep checking the Daily News on the website for the latest news on the stable runners.
Racing column by Dave Pipe