Easter Bunny

I'm very proud to announce the arrival of my first off-spring . Fit To Drive - Flo to me & you two - gave birth to a bouncy filly on Friday . Both are doing well and photos to follow .

I've taken things a bit easy (when don't I) since Cheltenham but back tomorrow - unfortunately not in time to get to Huntington where Only runs in the 3-10 . He would've won the very same race last year but for taking a very soft fall at the last fence . Let's hope we can make amends tomorrow . If he can then we would be looking at Punchestown or Ayr .

So on to Aintree . George will be entered for The Aintree Hurdle on Grand National day . Trainer seems very positive but until he shows his old zest on the racecourse one couldn't be that confident . Geoffrey is entered for a handicap on the Thursday and the novice Gr1 on the Friday . However - we might leave him to the spring Cheltenham meeting .
Bruce will be out shorty now the ground is getting better .
More tomorrow but in the mean time I've - sorry should say Nic - got a long drive home ! CU
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Just a quickie

As I'm away skiing Brendon has confirmed Only as a runner tomorrow at Newbury - think its about 3-30 . It's an interesting race in which Only carries bottom weight . Not sure what his price will be but might be worth an ew . Trainer reports ( I know - we've heard it all so many times before ) that he's in great form at home and has a chance ! Oh well - we'll give it go .
CU

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Nicola ...

... studying the form before tomorrows race .... or is it the menu !

That's Cheltenham ....

....over for another year ! All us who backed Geoffrey yesterday - unfortunately - new our fate from the start - just missed the break - and that was that ! Young Tom said that he just reared slightly at the the moment the tapes went up . He's done all his winning from near the front and it all got a bit too frantic for him chasing the gallop - just too inexperienced - which probably goes for the jockey as well . He came back - sorry - they came back a bit dazed - with a bossed eyed look upon their faces . However - I'm pleased to report that they both ate up last night and are well this morning - albeit with bruised egos ! Both are very talented and will have better days .

Obviously a disapointing end to a fantastic weeks racing . I was more than holding my end up 'till our race - and will take back many great memories from the week . The atmosphere was electrifying and that goes for the wig-wam as well . Meeting all my friends and co-owners - Fudge and all my my mates from the north - 'Le Francais' who had such a successful week - and MCP buyiny them a bottle of champagne . However - the stable lost Matuhi - who looked sure to get a place until fatally falling at the last . The owners still came along the next day - which was very brave - and all due credit to them . If your horse comes back safe there is always another day - but not for them . And people ask about disappointments . Then there's JT McNamara - in hospital with life changing injuries . Its a tough sport - Cheltenham being the ultimate . CU

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So what do you think of it so far?

Surprise - surprise - DP gets his own way - again . 'Better bloody win then' I said . At least I didn't roll over that easy - really made him work for it . I expect I'll pay for it later - usually in the bill at the end of the month ! Anyway - it's great to have a runner on Gold Cup day - though I can see Geoffrey becoming the 'get out of jail' card for the wigwam .

I thought Dynaste ran a really good race - just got mugged up the home straight by one of those foreign nags wearing blinkers for the first time . Don't worry Jim - we'll get our own back at the end of April !

I did back Solwit in The World - and should've had a couple of others - but so far so good - knocking around about evenstevens .

I'm glad I didn't hang around for the Cross Country nor the Charity Race - they got delayed 20 minutes and from what I hear ( in my pub ) took place in the dark ! By that time I was happily ensconced by a log fire with a pint - and - of course doing 'la blog'. CU
Ps - I suppose my week depends on 'the' race tomorrow - but so long as he comes home safely I feel I've had a good week . No doubt there's gonna be some bloody Irish nag thats been grown in at the weights who's going to mug us !
We'll give it our best shot .
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Gold Cup Day

Have 2 O&T tkts for first come

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Geoffrey -

- goes for The MCP . Rain forecast for t'mor which should help . CU

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Day 2 - Celebrations ...

...and despairs . Well - that's really what Cheltenham is all about - ask me ! Unfortunately the desperadoes far out number the celebrators . Tuesday is a land (well wigwam) full of hope and glory - Wednesday's one of cold realism . Owners can't believe just why there 'pride and joy' runs so much better round Taunton than they do round Cheltenham ! Trouble is we're only half way through the week .
On the other hand - there is the deliriously happies . My Francias friends - The Clayeau's - are still on cloud nine ! They only ( say only but what a fantastic achievement ) came second yesterday - but - you've guessed it - they've caught it ..... the dreadful and incurable Cheltenham BUG ! Mullins beware - forty horses - na . La Francias are about to invade ! The Brits can umpire !

Anyway - France ( no not Francis or Francois - France ) bought a painting of George - unfortunately being beaten by Bob - nevertheless she seemed very proud of her acquisition. MCP bought them ( should say us - as I drank most of it ) a bottle of champaign - a very nice touch - and very typical of the guy . I said he shouldn't encourage them !

When we purchased Geoffrey - and because he cost so much - thought it prudent to look for a third partner . That third partner would have been Gino - not sure of his surname - but Yvonne just wouldn't have it . It was me only and only me - I do have that effect on the ladies . Gino instead invested his money in another horse - The New One ! Well done Gino - hope Geoffrey is as good . CU
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D Day - Mark 2

I say Albert Bartlett - DP indulges me . MCP would've paused ....and just said 'stupid boy'. I ask Brookhouse . No sense there . Is there anyone in this wig-wam who understands my plight ! DJ has other things on his mind . Simon's at the bar . I buy him a beer - so he'll have to listen .
No sense there - he's backed Geoffrey for Pipey's race a month ago at very advantages odds .
I'm off to see Yvonne in the morning . Yvonne has been a bit poorly of late so it'll be good to catch up . Nowadays she can't remember my birthday - which is very understanding -but it's amazing she knows to the penny what we've got in our account . CU

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Day 1

Emmanuel talks to the press - Blimey - and he laughed at my hat !

Day 1

Quevega - a fantastic reception for the 5 times winner of the mares race .

Day 1

France - the very lovely - but long suffering - wife of Emmanual

Day 1

Sirene D'Ainay comes a close second behind the brilliant Quevega . Trained in France by Emmanuel Clayeux near Moulin - who was the pre-trainer to 'The Brothers'. He promised me last summer that he would send something over to Cheltenham . A second at The Festival with his first British runner is some achievement ! Had a tenner on ew @ 33-1 .

Day 1

A jubilant Brendan Powell 'The Younger' and yet another winner for my 'second' colours!

Around the mulberry bush

Ask me last weekend and I would've ( think I did say ) that Cheltenham would come too quick for George this year - and that we take our time and aim for Aintree or - better still - Punchestown ( I do try Jim ) .
Anyway - Mon . We start on a high when DP says that George has responded well to his ( apparently very expensive ) treatment - scoped well and his nasty ulcers have somewhat decreased - which was - and is - a huge relief. A racecourse gallop is discussed and Exeter here we come !
Tuesday . I love Exeter -
a really good galloping track where I had my first winner - must be 20 years ago now . To watch George canter round upsides in the vets Landrover was magical - well worth all the effort . He did look extremely well and whether he runs again this season - or not - I came away knowing he'll be back - just might have to wait to next season ! Nicola came up with me and we stayed in one of those quaint little inns - selling proper beer - in Exmoor.
24 hours to think about things - a bottle of Geoffrey ( I said Geoffrey - not Gevrey - this is Exmoor ) with a nice supper . Nicola had her opinions . I said retirement was out of the question . I was coming around to the thinking that perhaps a run out the next week would do no harm - might even pick up some useful prize money .
On to Wednesday . I say Ryanair - DP thinks World . Yea Dave - that makes sense - I like it .
On to Thursday . I go to Wincanton . DP's not talking to me - well - only to say that I'm a 'blogger mouth' and that I've let the 'cat out' ! I don't know which of you two informed the press but shame on you !
Friday . I'm on my way to a very wet Sandown . DP phones - well it's nice to be talking again - and says that George schooled well that morning but unfortunately didn't scope well after . So that's that .
On to Saturday and back at Sandown . DP has a few chances and they all run really well without winning . MCP is in fine form and and seems to be peaking in time for Cheltenham . Me ? Knackered ! CU
Ps - Stratford off tomorrow so day off !
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George out

Unfortunately George didn't scope 100% this morning so won't line up next week . We can now look ahead to Aintree - his original target - and - or - Punchestown . CU

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D Day

I think that before George's little hack around Exeter I would've been quite happy to miss Cheltenham and head to Aintree . But all that would really do is delay finding out - and anyway the ground could also deteriorate again . So the thought is to go for The World Hurdle . He would have an easier race over the smaller obstacles and Scu would look after him . If he was in the form of 2 years ago he would be favourite so it will be a good opportunity to see if he retains any of his old ability . We also want to protect his handicap mark over fences - and maybe have another tilt at The Paddy Power in November .
Geoffrey will go on Gold Cup day - either the Gr1 nov or The Martin Pipe . DP says its up to me - either come 6th in the Albert Bartlett or 1st in the MP !! Trainers have a way of putting things ! CU
Ps Only runs at Stratford on Monday - to get us all off to a winning start for the week !

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Exeter racecourse gallop

George strutted his stuff after racing at Exeter last evening and things could not have gone any better . I'm not sure what one can take from these types of exercises - only to say George seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience and looked really well . He's only raced on bad ground so far this season so this would've done a his confidence no harm .
He did a two mile canter along side Zaynar - another grey - designed to confuse the reporters and commentators . He took a pull all the way round and Tom Scu allowed him to extend in the home straight . We followed in the racecourse vets Landrover and were able to see George pick his ears every time he by-passed a fence !
A good crowd stayed on to watch the gallop and they gave him a good ovation at the end - quite touching really .
I did mean to do a video of it all but unfortunately in the chaos of the moment got forgotten . I know RUK filmed it - so if anyone out there happens to have a recording perhaps they would forward to 'la blog'.
Big decisions ahead but we've got 24 hours ! CU
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David Pipe | Racehorse Trainer

http://www.davidpipe.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1198:no-decision-on-dynaste&catid=6&Itemid=35

No Decision On Dynaste!

Monday, 04 March 2013 16:40Written by David Pipe

The latest news ahead of the Cheltenham Festival?  There is no news!  Despite speculation to the contrary, there has still been no decision made on Dynaste's target next week (Jewson or RSA) and in all likelihood there will not be until the declarations need to be made for the first of those races next Monday.   At that point we will have every conceivable piece of information at hand to make the correct decision for the horse – blood test results, likely rivals in each race etc.  The decision really is in the balance and I am yet to reach an agreement with my father!

With just eight days to go until the start of the Festival I was pleased to see the scoreboard tick into the 90's courtesy of three more winners last week.  Franklin Roosevelt started the ball rolling on Tuesday with a hard fought success in the staying handicap chase, supplementing his win from the previous week.  He hasn't always looked the most straightforward (ask A P McCoy) but he showed great resolution to get his head in front close home here and I hope that he can continue to build on this.

The stable continued in good form on Wednesday with an across the card double at Wincanton and Lingfield courtesy of E Street Boy (pictured above) and Qalinas respectively.  E Street Boy took the switch back to hurdles in his stride with victory in the handicap hurdle under Tom Scudamore at Wincanton.  He showed fair enough form in three runs over the larger obstacles without really looking convincing despite schooling nicely at home.  This battling success will do wonders for his confidence and he should remain competitive over hurdles while I wouldn't rule out another crack at fences a bit further down the line.

Over at Lingfield on the same afternoon it was a case of fourteenth time lucky as we finally found the key to Qalinas who won the 2m7f handicap hurdle under a good ride from young amateur jockey Michael Heard.  Stepped up to this trip for the first time, Michael always had the grey son of Malinas in a good position (prominent in a slowly run race) and now that he has proven his stamina this opens up a whole host of other opportunities for him.  Now the penny has dropped there is no reason to think that he cannot win again.

It is the calm before the storm now and I don't envisage having a great deal of runners this week other than at Sandown this Saturday when it is their famous Imperial Cup meeting.  We have won the race a couple of times with Gaspara (who went on to win the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival the following week) and Ashkazar and this time around we have entered Tanerko Emery, Shotavodka, Kazlian and Home Run.  Meanwhile Edmund Kean, I Shot The Sheriff and Barney Cool are entered in the valuable EBF Final on the same card.

I am off to a Cheltenham Preview evening tonight (Monday) near Bath and I don't mind telling you, I am looking forward to being a part of the audience tonight rather than on the panel!  It really begins to hit home at just how close we are as six day confirmations for Cheltenham begin this Wednesday.  A number of our exciting youngsters will sidestep the Festival this year, including Broadway Buffalo, Top Gamble and Kings Palace and they could go to Aintree or even Punchestown instead.

Former World Hurdle runner-up Grands Crus will gallop in company with one other at Exeter races tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday) after racing.  We will see how he gets on there before deciding upon a course of action for him.

Looking ahead to Aintree, Clerk of the Course Andrew Tulloch has been down today with Tom Howley from Easy Fix to install some Grand National style fences.  As you can see from the pictures below, the fences undergo an amazing transformation and really do look the part once completed.  Fences such as these have also been installed at Lambourn, Middleham and the Curragh so anyone near one of the major training centres can practice over the Aintree style fences prior to the Grand National.

Before I conclude this week, I would just like to pass on my congratulations to one of my staff members, Eleri Apps who rode another winner between the flags on Turthen in the Kingston St Mary novice riders' point-to-point near Taunton on Sunday.  Well done too to Kieren Buckley, son of our Head Lad Eddie who finished fourth in the same race aboard former Pond House inmate Vertige Dore – he looked very tidy on only his second race ride and I am sure he will be in the winners' enclosure before too long.

For all the latest news from the stable, you can keep up to date by checking Chester's Daily Chat or you can follow me on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing.

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Just a quickie -

- to say that George had his scope this morning and has responded well to treatment . The plan is to give him a race course gallop after racing at Exeter tomorrow . Will update .

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