David Pipe Stable Tour
28 Feb 2008
Like every other trainer, David Pipe doesn’t have the strength in depth of Paul Nicholls but he knows how to maximise the potential of the horses under his care and one of the best examples is the World Hurdle Hope Lough Dergh who now leads Kauto Star in the Order of Merit Ratings.
Pipe sends a strong team to the Festival and here he gives an insight to his strategy over the four days.
Please note: figures in brackets indicate horse's official ratings. A figure of (120>134) would indicate a horse has improved 14lb during the course of the season.
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TUESDAY
3.15 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle (2m ½f)
“OSANA (143>163) hasn’t run since December and had the option of a run in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton but the owner and myself decided it would be best to go straight to Cheltenham. He takes enough work but is on schedule. He races similarly to dad’s second Champion Hurdler, Make A Stand, but Osana doesn’t have to make the running. He hasn’t had many races and is still improving, jumps with fluency at a strong two mile pace and handles Cheltenham having won there last time and has run at two Festivals. I have been very impressed with Sizing Europe’s latest win in Ireland and he did beat us four lengths receiving six pounds in November. I think we can improve our jumping on that day and we do have more experience in big races.”
4.00 William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase (3m ½f)
“AN ACCORDION (135>143) looks like he’s still open to improvement, fairly unexposed but has to have a clear round jumping. We put blinkers on last time when he won at Doncaster in January which helped him concentrate but that would be my main concern because he has a lot of ability and is not slow but three miles helps his jumping. CELESTIAL GOLD (160>158) has been disappointing and needs to recapture his best form but he could run very well in this. ABRAGANTE (125>135) is coming back from a break fresh and could surprise people.”
WEDNESDAY
3.15 Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase (2m)
“We’ll make a decision nearer the race with TAMARINBLEU (150>167) and it would depend if any others fall by the wayside. His last run when he beat Twist Magic 12 lengths did surprise me, certainly the distance he won by. I’m not saying he isn’t a three mile horse but a while back the trainer was being called an idiot for running him over that trip. He made too many mistakes when we ran him in the Arkle but that’s the difference now. He concentrates more and we’ve changed the way we ride him. That means he goes his pace and it doesn’t matter if that’s in front or in second or third. I thought the soft ground at Ascot was against him — I’ve always thought he was a better horse on better ground. However, whether he wants soft over two miles is another story. If I can get him to Cheltenham in the same form he was at Ascot I think he’ll go really well - whatever race he goes for. People are forgetting about him because he’s an underdog that wears blinkers.”
4.00 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f)
“THE PACKAGE (119>135) has taken a sharp rise for being second to Punchestowns at Sandown last time and has an entry in the County Hurdle. He likes better ground than he had at Sandown but he could be more of an Aintree horse. WHISPERED PROMISES (140>142) isn’t the best handicapped horse but it will suit him stepping up to two miles five.”
4.40 138th Year of the National Hunt Chase (4m)
“OVER THE CREEK (132>138) would be our best in this if he ran. The trip would suit and he’ll definitely be entered. Goes on any ground.”
5.20 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2m ½f)
“BIG EARED FRAN will be entered. He is a lovely horse for the future and we’ve done plenty with him since he joined us, a big horse. He was going to run in February but he scoped dirty. We also bought a horse from Willie Mullins, PRINCE GINO, who won his only start at Naas but he’d want cut in the ground.”
THURSDAY
2.00 Jewson Novices Handicap Chase (2m 5f)
“POLINAMIX (123) was second to Noland then was impressive in a bad race at Folkestone but at the moment is nine pounds out of the handicap. HELEN WOOD (123>128) hasn’t done much wrong but is five pounds out. But realistically I don’t think either would be good enough.”
2.35 Ryanair Chase (2m 5f)
“This will be the fourth time OUR VIC (163>165) has run in the race, he was second last year and it’s now a Grade One race at level weights but two mile five round Cheltenham probably isn’t quite far enough form him but he’ll still run very well and any ground is fine.”
3.15 Ladbrokes World Hurdle (3m)
“LOUGH DERG (145>159) has been brilliant all season and coming from a long way back to beat My Way De Solzen over two and a half miles at Fontwell last time was a great effort. Keeps coming back from hard races but if I’m being completely honest I think he’s just a bit below World Hurdle class. We’d still like more horses with his attitude and we’ll be looking to pick up more order of merit points. If something runs badly we’ve a chance of being in the frame.”
4.40 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase (3m 1½f)
“MY IMMORTAL (128>129) ran well to be third to Gungadu at Sandown last time but will also be entered for the National Hunt Chase. Jumps and stays and would be a very good ride for an amateur. Would be our best for either race.”
5.20 Pertemps Final (3m)
“It all depends if Francois Doumen runs Millenium Royal in this rather than in the World Hurdle. If he did run in this then I’d consider RASLAN (137>140) — ignore his last disappointing run — and BUENA VISTA (140>140) would look very interesting because so many would be out of the handicap and although they aren’t particularly well handicapped they’d at least be in the handicap on 10st 4lb.”
FRIDAY
2.00 JCB Triumph Hurdle (2m 1f)
“ASHKAZAR (137) has won two from three and is our main one. MAMLOOK is a nice horse but disappointed at Ludlow last time although he did have a double penalty and you didn’t see him at his best.”
5.10 David Nicholson Mares Only Hurdle (2m 4½f)
“GASPARA (152>144) has been running in all the better races but struggling to get her head in front. She loves Cheltenham and I think she’s be better on better ground now even though she’s won on soft. I think she’d have a place chance.” - attheraces.com
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