David Pipe opened his stables at Pond House, Nicholashayne, Somerset ahead of the 2013 Cheltenham Festival for an official media tour and provided this update on his horses.
You will find regular stable updates at www.DavidPipe.com
Betfair also have provided this interview:
GOULANES (IRE)
7 b g Mr Combustible (IRE) – Rebolgiane (IRE) (Red Sunset)
Form: 1-11 Owner: Roger Brookhouse Breeder: Ray Townsend
Summary : Second & first in Irish point-to-points in October & November, 2011; sold for £40,000 at Cheltenham in November, 2011. Unbeaten under Rules, winning a maiden hurdle at Newbury in March, 2012, and a Listed handicap hurdle over an extended three miles, one furlong on his seasonal return at Cheltenham in November. Successful on chase debut at Wetherby in the Grade Two Towton Novices’ Chase in February.
Jump Race Record: Starts: 3; Wins: 3; 2nd: -; 3rd: -; Win & Place Prize Money: £37,377
Last Run : Won Grade Two Towton Novices’ Chase, run over three miles and a furlong, by a head from Super Duty at Wetherby (soft) on February 2.
Entries at The Festival : John Oaksey National Hunt Chase (March 13) 4m, RSA Chase (March 13) 3m 110y, Jewson Novices’ Chase (March 14) 2m 4f.
David Pipe said: “He won well at Wetherby last time out – his first chase and a Grade Two so we put him in at the deep end. A lightly-raced horse, he came from the pointing field where he had two runs, finishing second and first in point-to-points. He is unbeaten with us, two over hurdles and one over fences. The great thing about this horse is his attitude – he is not flashy, instead being workmanlike and very gutsy. He stays very well – we will see what the ground and opposition is like when deciding which race to go for at The Festival. It is between the RSA, in which he will need every yard of the trip, and the National Hunt Chase. At Wetherby, all he did was stay and he loves to aim at something in front – he has a great attitude and there is still more to come. He has to improve for the RSA but is still lightly-raced and there is definitely more improvement there. He won’t mind the ground. He is one of our bigger hopes for the week at Cheltenham. Roger Brookhouse bought him from Cheltenham Sales for £40,000 which looks very cheap now. He is a good jumper and has done lots of schooling at home.”
FLYING CROSS (IRE)
6 b h Sadler’s Wells (USA) – Ramruma (USA) (Diesis)
Jump Form: – Owner: Robin Geffen Breeder: Southern Bloodstock
Summary :Yet to run over hurdles; rated 111 on the Flat. Won two of his six starts for Aidan O’Brien and John Gosden and finished third in the Group One Irish St Leger in 2010.
Last Run :Fifth of 10 in Listed Prix du Carrousel over a mile and seven furlongs at Deauville (good to soft) on July 29, 2011.
Entries so far at The Festival :William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (March 12) 2m 110y, Stan James Champion Hurdle (March 12) 2m 110y, Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (March 13) 2m 5f.
David Pipe said: “Flying Cross is the darkest horse we send to The Festival. He has never run over hurdles but he holds three entries for The Festival. He won’t go for the Champion Hurdle. I have spoken to Robin Geffen and the plan is to go for the Supreme or the Neptune. He was a very good horse on The Flat and finished third in the Irish St Leger for Aidan O’Brien. He is rated 111 and if he can translate that to hurdles he could be a very good horse. He has schooled nicely at home, jumping quite quick and flat, and all he has done is improve. He had a tendon injury and hence he has been off for a long time. We have had him for a long time (nine months) and put a lot of work into him. He is improving daily and did his best bit of work this morning. It is a big ask but it is one we hope he is up to. He is an out and out galloper who doesn’t mind cut in the ground. He is still an entire and is quite laidback. The more you ask him, the more he gives you and you can see his work improving every day. He is going in the right direction. He will go to The Festival without a run. If he does do well over hurdles, he could become a dual-purpose stallion. We did not want to rush him.”
THE LIQUIDATOR (GB)
5 b g Overbury (IRE) – Alikat (IRE) (Alhaarth (IRE))
Form: 2-21 Owner: Roger Brookhouse Breeder: Ms E L White
Summary : Finished second in a competitive Fairyhouse sales bumper in April for John Hanlon before joining current connections for £100,000. Chased home Anonis in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham in November before getting off the mark in a similar race at Exeter on February 10.
Jump Race Record: Starts: 3; Wins: 1; 2nd: 2; 3rd: -; Win & Place Prize Money: £20,022
Last Run:Won an extended two-mile bumper at Exeter (heavy) easily by 24 lengths on February 10.
David Pipe said: “He has only had the three runs. He is out of Alikat whom Dad used to train and is very similar to that horse in size and being very light-framed. But he is a good horse and ran a cracking race at Cheltenham in November to finish second in the Listed bumper. The plan was always to go for the Cheltenham bumper (The Festival), with one run in between and we picked a nice easy race for him at Exeter the other day. We did not want him to have a tough race and he basically had a racecourse gallop. He is not overly big but has a good attitude. He is an ideal type for the Cheltenham bumper. He is not flashy sort – workmanlike and goes about his business and reminds me of Liberman whom Dad won the bumper with. He won’t mind the hustle and bustle and will keep galloping up that hill. All he has done is improve since we have had him. We hope he runs a big race at The Festival.”
GRANDS CRUS (FR)
8 gr g Dom Alco (FR) – Fee Magic (FR) (Phantom Breeze)
Form: 97212/11122/61114-P3P Owner: Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds III
Breeder: Jean Marie Prost Alamartine
Summary: Top-class hurdler, winning Grade Two Rewards4Racing Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham as well as finishing runner-up to Big Buck’s in the 2011 Ladbrokes World Hurdle at The Festival. Made a bright start to chasing career last season with three wins on the bounce including the Grade One williamhill.com Feltham Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham in December, 2011. Failed to win in four starts since. Has been pulled up on two of his three starts this season but in between finished third to Long Run in the William Hill King George VI Chase.
Jump Race Record: Starts: 18; Wins: 7; 2nd: 4; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £247,834
Last Run: Pulled up in Grade Two Argento Chase over just short of three and a quarter miles at Cheltenham (heavy) on January 26.
Entries so far at The Festival : Ryanair Chase (March 14) 2m 5f, Ladbrokes World Hurdle (March 14) 3m.
David Pipe said: “I don’t know if George (Grands Crus) runs at Cheltenham. He is his usual laidback self and is in two races at The Festival, the World Hurdle and the Ryanair. We are taking it day by day with him. He is on treatment for ulcers. He cantered this morning – he is having an easy time. It has been a frustrating season – he disappointed in the Paddy Power. We cauterised his palate after that and he ran a cracking race to be third in the King George. He had a hard race that day and perhaps a combination of factors – the race came too quick for him possibly, ground, the ulcers and perhaps his blood – meant he was pulled up in the Argento Chase. All I can tell you is that he is the same horse at home on the gallops. Gerry (Supple) rides him and says he feels no different. There are no plans at present and he will probably go for a racecourse gallop somewhere and see how he goes there. He may go to Cheltenham, he may go to Aintree, he may go to Punchestown or he may not run again this season – we are keeping everything open and will do what is best for the horse. We want to get him back on track because he did run a cracking race in the King George. It was very soft ground that day and in the winner’s enclosure afterwards he had a good blow. He has still got the engine.”
GEVREY CHAMBERTIN (FR)
5 gr g Dom Alco (FR) – Fee Magic (FR) (Phantom Breeze)
Form: 14-111 Owner: Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds III
Breeder: Jean Marie Prost Alamartine
Summary : Full-brother to Grands Crus; decent form in bumpers last season and three from three over hurdles this season. Showed a good attitude when winning a maiden hurdle at Aintree over an extended two miles in October and again when taking a novice event by a nose from Corrin Wood at Haydock over two and a half miles in November. Ready seven-length winner on handicap debut at Wincanton on January 5.
Race Record: Starts: 5; Wins: 4; 2nd: -; 3rd: -; Win & Place Prize Money: £17,223
Last Run : Won a two and a half mile handicap hurdle in good style by seven lengths off a mark of 130 at Wincanton (soft) on January 5.
Entries so far at The Festival :Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (March 13) ,Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (March 15).
David Pipe said: “We call him Geoffrey and he is George’s full-brother. He has done nothing wrong this season – three out of three. He is improving rapidly. He had an easy time last season and we put him away to let him strengthen up. He is even stronger this year. He battled really well in a couple of his races and so I was pleased he had a nice easy race last time at Wincanton. He won off 130 in not a great race and the handicapper put him up a lot – 15lb to 145. He is going to find life tougher now but he is improving. He is entered in two novices – the Neptune and Albert Bartlett – and has been entered today for lots of handicaps – the Coral Cup, my father’s race, the Pertemps – and we will go through everything closer to the time. We were thinking of running him at Haydock the other day but it was very testing ground and, with Cheltenham getting closer, we thought there was no need. I think he will be better when he goes over three miles. We will see if he steps up to that distance for The Festival, assessing the ground and opposition. A rating of 145 could still be a workable mark and he is improving at a fast rate of knots. He is a very good jumper and travels well. He is a lot more straightforward than his brother. He is catching him up quickly. He will go on any ground. He will be a smashing chaser next season. He has only been beaten once in his life and I would like to keep it that way.”
TANERKO EMERY (FR)
7 b g Lavirco (GER) – Frequence (FR) (Panoramic)
Form: 2/F5-12113 Owner: Walters Plant Hire Limited Egan Waste Ltd
Breeder: Nicolas Taudon & Jean Taudon
Summary :Finished second over hurdles on sole start in France for Philippe Peltier in October, 2009. Was not seen on a racecourse again until when falling in a novices’ hurdle at Hereford in January, 2012, for trainer Tim Vaughan. Joined David Pipe ahead of this season and has won on three of his five starts at Stratford, Sandown and Lingfield, and also placed in competitive handicaps at Cheltenham and Ffos Las.
Jump Race Record: Starts: 8; Wins: 3; 2nd: 2; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £30,326
Last Run: Third of 14 in the Welsh Champion Hurdle (Limited Handicap) over two and a half miles at Ffos Las (heavy) on February 2, beaten a length and a half.
Entries so far at The Festival :William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (March 12) 2m 110y, Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (March 13) 2m 5f £120,000.
David Pipe said: “He is in novice hurdles at The Festival and has been entered in handicaps too – the County, Coral and my father’s race. He is very progressive and started off in the 90s and is up to 141 now. His best race was probably in defeat last time in the Welsh Champion Hurdle over two and a half miles, which was off 135 and I thought he was harshly put up 6lb that day. So he is going to have to improve. He was bought from France a few years ago now. He has always been a horse with a lot of ability but he has had a few problems. He is a very keen horse at home so we have to keep him settled in his races. He is better now. He is improving a lot and we think he will be a better horse on better ground. He travels well and is probably more likely to go for one of the handicaps. He is a very good jumper. He will have an each-way chance and is a very strongly-built horse. He is like a tank and when he first came here he was very keen and in his early races jockeys could not hold him. We have managed to settle him and he has improved and improved. Hopefully, he can keep on improving. The plan was to give him a rest before his last race because he’d had a few quick outings and then go to Cheltenham. Then Dai (Walters) asked if he could run in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and we only had a short time to get him ready. He might improve a bit for that run. He is definitely a chaser for next year.”
CLOSE HOUSE (GB)
6 b g Generous (IRE) – Not Now Nellie (Saddlers’ Hall (IRE))
Form: 212/314-21 Owner: Roger Brookhouse Breeder: Allan Munnis
Summary: Decent form in bumpers in 2011 and again last season in novice hurdles, winning at Towcester and finishing fourth to Simonsig in the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival. Has continued to improve this season, chasing home Double Ross in the competitive Paddy Power Intermediate Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs at Cheltenham in November before a gutsy success over a furlong further at Wincanton on Boxing Day.
Jump Race Record: Starts: 8; Wins: 3; 2nd: 3; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £34,776
Last Run: Won a two and three quarter mile handicap hurdle by two lengths from Rangitoto off a mark of 136 at Wincanton (heavy) on December 26.
David Pipe said: “He won the Pertemps qualifier at Wincanton last time. He went to The Festival last year when very inexperienced and finished fourth to Simonsig, nearest at the finish. We have been very patient with this fellow which is why you have seen him improve and improve. After he won the qualifier, he went up to 143 – up 7lb and the plan is to run him in the Pertemps. He has not run over three miles yet but will love the trip. He won’t mind what the ground is. He is very talented, a bit quirky and we treat him with kid gloves. We have been very patient with him and it has paid off. He should be a great chaser next year. He won’t mind the hustle and bustle of a Festival race. All he does is gallop – the first two at Wincanton pulled a long way clear of the others and 7lb was not too bad. It won’t be easy off 143 but we will definitely get in the Pertemps. He is in good form.”
BUDDY BOLERO (IRE)
7 b g Accordion – Quinnsboro Ice (IRE) (Glacial Storm (USA))
Form: 421-11 Owner: Malcolm Denmark Breeder: Mary Fanning McCormack
Summary :Fourth on sole bumper start at Fontwell in November, 2011, before getting off the mark on his second hurdle start at Folkestone over two miles and six and a half furlongs the following month. Made a successful chase debut in a beginners’ event at Exeter after over a year off on January 1, 2013 and followed up with a 12-length success in a handicap chase over nearly three miles at Leicester on January 30.
Jump Race Record: Starts: 5; Wins: 3; 2nd: 1; 3rd: -; Win & Place Prize Money: £13,274
Last Run: Won an extended two mile and seven furlong handicap chase easily by 12 lengths off a mark of 129 at Leicester (heavy) on January 30.
Entries so far at The Festival :John Oaksey National Hunt Chase (March 13) 4m, Jewson Novices’ Chase (March 14) 2m 4f.
David Pipe said: “He is lightly raced too. He won last time at Leicester, very easily, though it was not the greatest of contests. He has had all his runs for Pond House and improved with each of them. Once again, we have been patient with this fellow. He was entered at The Festival last year but we did not think it was right for him to go there. He grew again last summer and is a big horse now – with still some more filling out to do. He appears to be an out and out galloper and did it nicely at Leicester. He is a good jumper. Three miles plus is his trip. He will go to the National Hunt Chase. I don’t know if he will stay four miles but if he does he will be in there with a big shout. He is on 142 now and is related to Finger Onthe Pulse. He is a horse next season who hopefully will end up in races like the Welsh National. He does the business and I have always liked him. One of my better chances of the week.”
DYNASTE (FR)
7 gr g Martaline – Bellissima De Mai (FR) (Pistolet Bleu (IRE))
Form: 445/3216/1428-111 Owner: John White Breeder: Paul Chartier
Summary : Had three starts over hurdles in Frances. Developed into a very useful hurdler when stepped up to three miles, annexing the valuable Grade Three Betfair ‘Fixed Brush’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in November, 2011and finishing second to Big Buck’s in the Rewards4Racing Cleve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January, 2012 . Unbeaten in three starts over fences this season, with four and a half length wins at Cheltenham and Newbury around two and a half miles in November, before a nine-length success in the three-mile Grade One williamhill.com Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
Jump Race Record: Starts: 14; Wins: 5; 2nd: 2; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £129,681
Last Run: Won three-mile Grade One williamhill.com Feltham Novices’ Chase eased down by nine lengths from Hadrian’s Approach at Kempton Park (heavy) on December 26, 2012.
Entries so far at The Festival :RSA Chase (March 13) 3m 110y, Jewson Novices’ Chase (March 14) 2m 4f.
David Pipe said: “Dynaste is one of the shorter-priced favourites at the meeting. He is still in the two races and probably still will be at the six-day stage. He is in good form and has done nothing wrong. He had a very good season last season over hurdles. He is bigger and stronger this year. He has won over two and a half miles twice and then he put up a very good performance in the Feltham at Kempton over three miles. He won’t mind what the ground is and has a very similar profile to Grands Crus but he is a more straightforward horse. We will choose his race after assessing the ground and likely opposition. He is a good traveller, jumps nicely, straightforward and has a nice engine. He looks rock solid. I did not think this year’s Feltham was as strong as last year’s but Hadrian’s Approach ran a very good race behind Unioniste which franked the form.”
David Pipe Profile
Regular jumps racing fans will know that David Pipe is the son of 15-time champion Jump trainer Martin Pipe, who sent out a record 4,180 winners including 34 at the Cheltenham Festival and six at Royal Ascot. In 2009, Pipe senior, who helps his son, was honoured with the creation of a new race at the Cheltenham Festival, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
David himself has saddled nearly 700 winners including eight Cheltenham Festival successes and a John Smith’s Grand National triumph with Comply Or Die in 2008.
He has also recorded two high-profile wins on the Flat courtesy of Mamlook in the 2010 Chester Cup and Junior in the 2010 Ascot Handicap at Royal Ascot.
Born – February 7, 1973
Background – Started out riding in point-to-points in 1992, recording 22 wins, plus two under Rules.
After finishing as a rider, he had spells with Michael Dickinson in the US, Criquette Head-Maarek in France and Joey Ramsden in South Africa, before setting up as a point-to-point trainer at Purchas Farm, a mile away from Pond House, handling Horus, Lord Atterbury and Celestial Gold, who all went on to significant success under Rules when transferred to his father. Sent out 164 point-to-point winners over six seasons.
He took over the trainer’s licence following the retirement of his father on the last day of the 2005/06 Jump season – Saturday, April 29.
First Winner As A Trainer – Standin Obligation, Kelso, May 9, 2006
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL WINS (8)
JLT Specialty Chase (2008 An Accordion)
Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurde (2007 Gaspara)
Pertemps Final (2010 & 2011 Buena Vista)
Ryanair Chase (2008 Our Vic)
Byrne Group Plate (2010 Great Endeavour, 2012 Salut Flo)
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase (2011 Junior).
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL WINS BY YEAR
2007 – 1 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Gaspara)
2008 – 2 JLT Speciality Chase (An Accordion), Ryanair Chase (Our Vic)
2009 – no winners
2010 – 2 Pertemps Final (Buena Vista), Byrne Group Plate (Great Endeavour)
2011 – 2 Pertemps Final (Buena Vista), Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase (Junior)
2012 – 1 Byrne Group Plate (Salut Flo)
OTHER BIG RACE WINS INCLUDE
John Smith’s Grand National (2008 Comply Or Die), Paddy Power Gold Cup (2011 Great Endeavour), StanJames.com International Hurdle (2007 Osana), Charlie Hall Chase (2006 Our Vic), williamhill.com Feltham Novices’ Chase (2011 Grands Crus, 2012 Dynaste), Hennessy Gold Cup (2008 Madison Du Berlais), Long Walk Hurdle (2007 Lough Derg), Victor Chandler Chase (2008 Tamarinbleu)
