David Pipe thread

[mayo]

Nearly got them all covered now

The stable has runners at all three jumps meetings and probably the most interesting will be our four year old Gevrey Chambertin in the 5.10pm at Aintree. The four year old is the younger brother of stable star Grands Crus. He is making his hurdles debut this afternoon after winning a bumper at Ffos Las and finishing fourth in a listed race at Newbury last season. He has schooled well at home and although he probably wants further in time it looks a good starting point at Aintree this afternoon. I am really looking forward to him running and Tom Scudamore goes up there to ride him.

David has four runners at Stratford. Shallow Bay drops to a seller for the first time while Laustra Bad and Enfant De Lune run in the handicap hurdle. Frank Hayes claims a valuable ten pounds off of Enfant De Lune who has been running well of late. He should have a good each way chance while Tanerko Emery makes his Pond House debut in the 4.30pm race. Conor O'Farrell rides all of our other runners at Stratford. David has two runenrs at Chepstow. Qulinton has been a bit disappointing of late and runs in the big handicap hurdle but looks to have it all to do. Royal Mile also makes his Pond House debut in the last race with Kieron Edgar in the saddle. He is a 12 race maiden but he has been placed four times so it will be interesting to see how he gets on this afternoon. David has five runners at Wincanton and Aintree tomorrow so check back here in the morning for news of all them.

[mayo]

Gevrey Cambertin did business yesterday

Today there are just two meetings and they are both over jumps at Aintree and Wincanton. David has five runners at both tracks with Midnight Tuesday and Broadway Buffalo running at Aintree and Frankline Roosevelt, Bathwick Man and Weekend Millionair at Wincanton. I am especially looking forward to seeing Broadway Buffalo run in the bumper at Aintree. Our four year old has won his only start, a bumper at Worcester in quite impressive fashion and Tom Scu rides. It is quite difficult for horses carrying penalties to win another bumper but we like our four year old a lot and he has a good chance.

Midnight Tuesday runs in a competitive handicap hurdle but he ran a good race on his comeback run at Kelso last time and he has a chance in this. It does look like the Alan King maybe the one to beat in this.

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Two winners there mayo. Keep em coming for us lazy gits

[Old Vic]

Weekly update

I went to Aintree on Saturday and it was great to see Gevrey Chambertin get off the mark at the first attempt over hurdles. Well I say hurdle race, for those of you who may have seen the race they in fact only jumped three of the intended nine flights of hurdles as the ones in the home straight were omitted due to the low sun. This would not have suited our four year old and I think he won despite how the race turned out. He had a hard fought battle with Many Clouds up the straight and it was nice to see him getting on top towards the line. The front pair pulled a little way clear of the rest so I think the form should work out fairly nicely and I am sure the runner up will be winning over hurdles very soon. We will probably keep Gevrey low key for his next run before raising the bar the slightly after that.


Broadway Buffalo won the bumper nicely to make it two from two for our four year old. It looked a pretty good open race beforehand and it is always hard to win a Bumper with a penalty so I was particularly delighted to see him run so well and win. I am not sure the immediate plan with him but he is sure to appreciate a slightly longer trip when he is sent over hurdles. He is owned by the Broadway partnership which includes rugby players Andy Powell, Mark Cueto and Dwayne Peel and it was great they were able to make it to the track to watch him. There were 15 of them at the races and I am told they had a fantastic day!


Royal Mile was our winner at Chepstow for Malcolm Denmark and he gave young Kieron Edgar his first winner under rules for me. He was also making is stable debut and although he was a little keen throughout the race he jumped fantastically and stayed on strongly to win. This is his first victory and that should have really helped his confidence. He may well run under a penalty at Wetherby on Friday. It was great for Kieron who joined our yard since leaving school and he was the Devon and Cornwall area novice point to point champion rider last season. That was his second winner under rules and he is a name to look out for over the coming months.

[mayo]

Twitter Q&A session tomorrow ...

I am a great believer in trying to make the sport of horse racing more accessible to everyone, regardless of whether they are potential owners or not. The more people that have an interest in our sport, the better and as such I will be appearing in a Twitter questions and answers session on Tuesday evening from 5.30pm onwards and will be happy to answer any burning questions you may have for me…simply tweet your question to @racing_post using the hashtag #rpqa or alternatively e-mail: rpqa@racing post.com – I look forward to hearing what is on your minds. However, please do not ask me where Grands Crus is going to run, at the moment the answer is I really do not know! Entries for his other option, the Betfair Chase at Haydock only close tomorrow and it will not be until we have taken a close look at the entries for both races and discussed it with the owners that we will make an informed decision of where we go with him.

#grandscruspaddypower imo

[Statto]

Dynaste set for debut over fences this weekend ....

[Old Vic]

David, when are we going to see Knight Pass make his seasonal debut?
He will go to the Paddy Power meeting or Haydock week after over hurdles. He’s a decent horse with good form...

What are the targets/expectations for Our Father this season? Cheers

Big season this year. Won impressively at Ascot and went up a lot. Disappointed after. Got to prove he run off 145. Will go chasing #RPQA

David, give us the darkest of dark horses to follow from the Pipe yard this season!

Maybe Ruby Brook. Won as a 2-yo for Ralph Beckett. Has been injured but if we can keep him in one piece has every chance #RPQA

which one of your horses are u most looking forward to see race this year?
Dynaste over fences, very good hurdler and hopefully young enough to improve. He's entered at Wincanton on Saturday #RPQA

David do you think your horses are running to there top level, a lot don't seem to be getting home
They are running as expecting, Some of them are ready for a break and have been on the go for a while

hi David, can you shed any light on Gervey Chambertain's plans for the season - thanks and good luck

We may give him an entry at Paddy Power meeting. Will stick to hurdles and step up in trip wants 2m4f - 3m. His form looks good

will u target ireland again this yr like u did with notus de la tour,if so which races?

Yes with some horses who like soft good. If the prize money is good we will consider it. Always looking at Ire and France for opportunities

Did you discover any reason why Grands Crus ran below his previous chase form at the festival?.

He didn't scope right after the Festival. His run was just too bad to be true

Do you see Problema Tic or The Package as genuine Hennessy contenders?

Problema Tica needs to improve but still young enough to do so. The further he goes the better

Package has always been a classy horse and could have a chance... #

David, What are your plans for 'The Mighty' Ashkazar ? Is a decent race at one of the festivals is a realistic target?

Probably not. He has a high handicap mark over fences and hurdles so will be hard to place. Will campaign over both #RPQA

[Yeehaa]

David Pipe @DavidPipeRacing

Schooled Grands Crus and Dynaste over fences this morning. Both went well and I was very pleased.
Expand

[Old Vic]

David Pipe Stable Tour Video

[johnno]

Dynaste :The six-year-old ended last season with a hurdle rating of 161 and is likely to take high rank in the novice chase division this term if his jumping stands up to the test. Pipe has yet to decide whether his charge will start off over two and a half miles or go straight over three miles, the distance over which he excelled over timber.

"

We decided to miss Wincanton and he will probably go to Cheltenham next week now," said Pipe.

"He goes a little bit left so it makes sense to wait. He'll be entered in the two-and-a-half-mile novice and the three-mile."

[mayo]

I think Pipe could have a good year ...can plot them up.

[mayo]

Winners still very much in the Pipe line
November 16th, 2012 by Robert Catterson

If the Paddy Power Gold Cup is ever to be named after a trainer, then the ‘Pipe Procession Gold Cup’ would sound as good as anything. For years, Martin Pipe dominated the Cheltenham showpiece, winning it eight times in total. On Saturday, his son David bids for his second success on the bounce.

Pipe junior is now enjoying his sixth season with his name above the door at Pond House and while he saddles the favourite for Saturday’s 2m5f centrepiece, it took him five years to get the knack of winning the race his father had once made his own.

“As everybody knows, my father did extremely well at this meeting and up until last year, the Paddy Power meeting hadn’t been that kind to me. We had a very good meeting last year and we’re hoping we can do something similar this time around.” explains David.

In Saturday’s renewal of a race, which was formerly known as the Mackeson Gold Cup in the 1980s, David saddles one of the most exciting horses to have run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in recent years. And he’s expecting big things from Grands Crus.

“He’s in good form. He’s had a good preparation and I’m pleased with him. We had been contemplating running in the Betfair Chase in two weeks’ time but because he disappointed in the RSA, in theory, he might be a few pounds ‘well-in’ on Saturday. The 2m5f around Cheltenham is something he’ll enjoy and with the strong pace, he’ll hopefully creep into it late on. With the big field on Saturday, we only need luck in-running.”

And from last season, with the summer months behind him, Grands Crus could be even better over the coming months, according to his trainer. “He’s summered well and we think he could be coming into his prime now. We think the Paddy Power Gold Cup is the ideal race for us and certainly, we wouldn‘t swap our lad.”

Two seasons ago, Grands Crus was known as the horse to have so very nearly got the better of Big Buck’s in the World Hurdle. However last season, he was one of the top novice chasers in training.

“On his runs last season, his best performance had to be in the Feltham Novice Chase, where he was magnificent. He destroyed them down the far side and his time was better than Kauto Star’s on the same day. I’m hoping we can see that same Grands Crus on Saturday. It’s because of that performance why many are already fancying him for the King George next month. He’s second favourite for that and that’s our first main target of the season.

“Then in the RSA last season, from a long way out, Tom Scudamore wasn’t happy. He’s the one driving the car so he knows best. Visually, he looked to be going well but in the end, he ran too bad to be true but he’s back in good form now.”

But while there is plenty of talk surrounding a King George bid already, Pipe is solely concentrating on Saturday’s contest before anything else.

“Saturday’s race looks wide open. There are cases for the likes of Al Ferof, Calgary Bay and Walkon and they’re probably the three main dangers. As for Hunt Ball, he improved through all recognition last season but I think it will be very hard for him to improve much more. With a little bit of luck, I think we’ll take all the beating.”

At the 2011 Open Meeting, Pipe recorded a superb treble on Friday, before sending out Great Endeavour to land the Paddy Power Gold Cup. And he’s more than hopeful of another similarly successful Open weekend this time around.

“Dynaste runs on Friday in the 2m4f novices chase and we’re hoping he’ll be top class this season. He finished second to Big Buck’s last season, as most horses do, and we won the same novice chase with Grands Crus last season. Dynaste won the same fixed brushed hurdle race at Haydock as Grands Crus did too, when he was probably even more impressive than Grands Crus. While he’s not a similar type of horse to Grands Crus, he was a very good hurdler and hopefully he can translate that to fences,”added Pipe.

And on his other runners at Cheltenham on Friday. “Swing Bill won the amateurs race last year off the same mark that he’s on now but he’s not getting any younger. Also on Friday, we have Top Wood in the conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle and we won this with Decoy last year. Top Wood has only run the twice in this country and when he got beat the first time, I shouldn’t have run him. He won nicely the last day at Chepstow and he’s strengthened up since. He’s interesting,” informs Pipe.

“Of the other horses running over the weekend, Waterunder was a shell of a horse last year but has strengthened up nicely. He’s a different horse now and when he won at Wincanton last season, he beat It’s A Gimme, who has run well since. Our Father has schooled nicely over fences and it’s a big season for him. We hope he can step up to the mark over fences.

“Problema Tic has been saved for the handicap chase on Saturday. He’s only run the once for us and won up at Ayr but he’s very much improving. Close House and Goulanes, both owned by Roger Brookhouse, will run in different races and should both go close. And with regard to Kazlian, it will be a last minute decision whether he runs in Sunday’s Racing Post Hurdle. If he works well this week, he’ll run. And if does run, he’ll have a chance.” adds David, who could also be represented by the interesting duo of I Shot The Sheriff and The Liquidator at Cheltenham on Sunday.

And for a winner or two, for the Paddy Power weekend? “If you’re looking for a winner, then I’d be hoping Dynaste will win. For one to be a surprise package, His Excellency could run well in Sunday’s novice chase. I’m sure Nicky Henderson or Paul Nicholls will have a good one in there but my lad won nicely at Cheltenham last time and liked coming up the hill. He could run well at a nice price.”

So it may be a different Christian name over the racing office at Pond House these days but when it comes to the Open meeting at Cheltenham, some things never change. And you can be sure that team Pipe will be in the winners’ enclosure more than once this weekend.

[Old Vic]

What a thrilling three days of action at the Cheltenham Open meeting and I was delighted with the form of the stable runners throughout the course of the meeting. For the second successive year we finished up with a very satisfying four winners, while a number of other runners also performed creditably to fill the frame.

Of our four winners three of those successes came from promising youngsters, while the other came from one of the stable’s old stalwarts. Dynaste produced a deeply impressive performance when winning the Steel Plate & Sections Novices’ Chase on the opening day of the meeting beating some very useful rivals in the process. With a rating of 161 over hurdles, he was our highest rated recruit to fences this tem and he certainly didn’t disappoint. Jumping with great aplomb on this chasing debut, jockey Tom Scudamore was able to ask Dynaste to go long or short at his fences and he was able to come nicely clear of Fingal Bay after the last – I really couldn’t have been any more pleased.

It is true that Dynaste possesses a similar profile to Grands Crus in as much as they both won this race, both won the Fixed Brush Hurdle and both showed excellent form over hurdles against the mighty Big Buck’s but he is probably an easier ride than his illustrious stablemate. Considering he has proven stamina over three miles, it was pleasing to see the turn of foot that he was able to display over this 2m4f trip (run only at a steady gallop) and that means he will have plenty of options throughout his career. The race that Grands Crus won at Newbury would be an obvious next target, while he could also possibly take in the Feltham at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Our Father was another to make quite an impression on his chasing debut as he readily disposed of his rivals in the novices’ chase on Saturday. Jumping extremely well Timmy Murphy gave him a shrewd ride to find the best ground and he easily came clear in the straight. We have always regarded him very highly and with only seven career starts under his belt (including Saturday) he is still very lightly raced and open to plenty more improvement. He is a nice big, old fashioned chasing type and rates a smashing prospect.

Over timber Goulanes produced an excellent effort to land the Listed handicap hurdle over three miles and this former winning Irish Point-to-Pointer is another one to look forward to. Having only his second run under rules, Goulanes was by far the least experienced in the field but showed real determination (as was characterised by his previous win at Newbury) to get up close home to beat Cross Kennon. He is another exciting youngster to look forward to and I am delighted to have so many horses of considerable potential to look forward to.

One slightly more exposed winner from Cheltenham was old favourite Swing Bill. Bill is rising twelve yet still retains all of his enthusiasm despite countless problems down the years. Indeed, he produced an action replay performance on Friday to win the amateur riders race under a fine ride from Mikey Ennis to follow-up his success of twelve months earlier. This was Mikey’s first winner at Cheltenham and I am sure he will remember it fondly for the remainder of his career. Swing Bill may not be the most talented horse in the yard, but he is certainly one of the toughest and any trainer would love to have a stable full just like him.

Of course, Grands Crus was a high-profile disappointment in the big race itself, pulling up two from home having weakend after reaching a challenging position. The good news is that he is sound and the form that he showed here was clearly too bad to be true. Geoff Lane scoped him on Sunday and I am pleased to say that he has found a problem with his wind and recommends a wind operation. We are considering all options and more news will follow.

I am always on the lookout for new talent and having ploughed through the catalogues am currently at the Deauville Sales looking for potential new stars (remember both Grands Crus and Dynaste were purchase through Arqana). You will be able to find news of any purchases in Chester’s Daily Chat.

Looking ahead to the weekend, there is more top class action in the offing with Haydock playing host to the valuable Fixed Brush hurdle that we have won for the last couple of years with Grands Crus and Dynaste and we have left three in at the latest forfeit stage…Poole Master, Knight Pass and Katkeau, as well as the Betfair Chase. It is a blank day for the yard today, although we will be having runners between now and the weekend, so do keep checking back for all the latest news.

[mayo]

LONG RUN'S owner Robert Waley-Cohen is to send a second novice hurdler to David Pipe.

The chairman of Cheltenham racecourse has previously had his horses with Nicky Henderson and Alan King but neither share Waley-Cohen's love of French racing.

"I have already sent Storm Lantern to David, and Makadamia will be joining him," he told me at the weekend.

"Both are home-breds and they will be aimed at races in France in the spring. David has an open mind when it comes to races abroad - it is not Nicky's style."

[mayo]

Tipped up by Steve Hughes ( he is good )

Newbury 2.40: NO SECRETS (12-1, William Hill)
David Pipe has already enjoyed success this season since taking on a number of Malcolm Denmark’s horses with the likes of I Shot the Sheriff and Royal Mile winning and No Secrets is another who can find some improvement on his first start for Pipe this afternoon.

This front runner showed plenty of promise over hurdles when with Warren Greatrex, winning impressively on his only start to date on ground officially labelled as soft, by 13l at Folkestone. He backed that up with a fine second to Poungach in a better race at Ascot next time and led for most of the way before tiring in the 3m novice at the Cheltenham Festival of 2011.

However he did not progress over fences last season, albeit in only two starts, not appearing to enjoy the sight of the bigger obstacles. It seems sensible to start him back over hurdles today, and if Pipe can conjure the ability out of him on his return to the track, then a handicap mark of 125 looks fair, as the trainer has a fine record of getting horses ready first time out.