David Pipe Stable Tour

Following on from his father Martin was always going to be a tough ask for David Pipe but since taking over the license in 2006, he has sent our more than 1,000 winners from his Pond House base in Somerset. Grade 1 winners, Cheltenham Festival success and an excellent record in the Midlands National have formed the peak of the pyramid. There are some smart recruits to look out for this season who will feature in our horse racing tips.

Mr Big Shot

“Mr Big Shot had an interrupted preparation last season which meant that he did not reappear until the Martin Pipe conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.  He met with his only defeat there, but ran better than the bare result and showed the benefit of that experience when running out a brave winner of the Gaskells handicap hurdle at Aintree’s Grand National meeting on his first try at three miles.  With only five lifetime starts and at 17 hands high, he is a great big, raw individual who is still learning his trade.  He will go novices’ chasing this season over 2½ miles+ and is a most exciting prospect for the season ahead.”

King’s Socks

“King’s Socks ran a great race at the Cheltenham Festival on his second start back from a lay-off when a close fifth in the Brown Advisory.  He travelled really well that day but appeared to not quite get home.”  Consequently he will be given entries over slightly shorter with his current handicap mark looking well within his reach once he puts it all together.

Ramses De Teillee

“Ramses de Teillee had a good first season over fences, winning twice on really testing ground at Chepstow.  While he stays well, he is not without pace” It will be interesting to see how he is campaigned this year as he looked like a handicapper going places last season.

Know The Score

Winner of an Irish point-to-point, Know The Score was a good winner of a Towcester bumper on his debut for the stable.  His next start came in the Cheltenham Festival bumper and he ran better than his finishing position would suggest having raced too keenly for much of the race.  “He will go novices’ hurdling this season, starting at two miles but he will get further and rates an exciting prospect.”

Ekayburg

“Ekayburg contested four AQPS flat races in France (the equivalent of bumpers over here) and showed a good attitude to win at Pornichet.  He bettered that form when a ready winner of a Grade 2 contest at Maisons-Laffitte.  He will go novices’ hurdling this season over two miles.”

Orchard Thieves

“Following an absence of over two years I was very pleased with the performance of Orchard Thieves when turning over a highly rated odds-on favourite in a 2m7f novices’ hurdle at Worcester in May.  He was given a holiday thereafter and looks an exciting type for staying novices’ hurdles this winter.  Loves soft ground.”

Thanks to the team at Pond House for their time and help in putting this stable tour together.