Tag Archive for: David Pipe

Jack Tudor following illustrious footsteps with top job at Pond House

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Jack Tudor has landed the prestigious role of stable jockey to David Pipe at his famous Pond House Stables.

The vacancy became available in February on the shock immediate retirement of long-time number one Tom Scudamore, and Tudor’s services have been called upon regularly by Pipe since, riding for the yard at the Cheltenham Festival.

Tudor, who has ridden four winners for Pipe in his career so far, follows in the footsteps of not only Scudamore but the likes of Sir Anthony McCoy, Richard Dunwoody and Peter Scudamore to be in possession of the Pond House top job and Tudor admits he has big shoes to fill following Pipe’s announcement of the news.

“It’s obviously a big move for me and I’m looking forward to it and excited to see what happens,” he said.

“It’s a role that has been filled by great jockeys before and there are big shoes to fill, but hopefully I can fill them.”

The 20-year-old shot to prominence when partnering Christian Williams’ Potters Corner to win the 2019 Welsh Grand National, while Kitty’s Light is another of the Welshman’s string to provide Tudor with big-race success, winning Newcastle’s Eider Chase earlier this season.

Tudor was keen to pay tribute to Williams as he makes the move from Ogmore-by-Sea to Somerset and hopes to continue linking up with the man who has nurtured the early days of his career when his new association allows.

Jack Tudor celebrates his victory on Potters Corner in the Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase with trainer Christian Williams
Jack Tudor celebrates his victory on Potters Corner in the Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase with trainer Christian Williams (David Davies/PA)

“Christian has been brilliant to me for the past five years,” continued the jockey.

“I’ve worked with him since I was 16 and I dedicate all my career so far to him and the reason I am able to get opportunities such as this are because of him giving me chances and trusting me for so long.

“I’ll look forward to keeping that relationship going with Christian and riding as many of his as possible and hopefully David and Christian can work well together and we can have plenty of success.”

Grand National-winning trainer Pipe write on Twitter: “I am excited to announce that @jacktudor9 will be stable jockey at Pond House, supported by our existing team of jockeys. He is a talented young rider with big-race experience.

“We look forward to exciting times ahead #newbeginnings.”

Gericault Roque set for extended break

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David Pipe has confirmed Gericault Roque will not be seen again this season.

The seven-year-old, who was second in the Ultima Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last year, was most recently seen coming home third in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November.

The going was good that day and the run has left the horse slightly feeling the effects, causing connections to opt to give him the rest of the season off before he is aimed at the 2024 Grand National.

Gericault Roque at Warwick
Gericault Roque at Warwick (Simon Marper/PA)

Pipe said via his website: “I just wanted to give a little update on Gericault Roque as we have decided he will not be running again this season. He ran a cracker in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on ground that was a bit quicker than ideal and he came home a little jarred up.

“We have given him time to get over this and while his latest scans are clear and the vets are happy, having chatted with owners Bryan Drew and Professor Caroline Tisdall, we have decided to give him more time and not rush to get him back to the spring festivals.

“He is a horse we hold in high regard with the long-term aim of the 2024 Grand National, so (we) will map out a plan for next season during the summer culminating at Aintree in April.”

Editeur Du Gite added to Clarence House field

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Editeur Du Gite has been supplemented for the rearranged Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Gary Moore’s charge put himself in the Champion Chase picture when causing a shock in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over the Christmas period.

Although not amongst the candidates for the Grade One contest at Ascot last Saturday, the nine-year-old has won twice at Prestbury Park and his record in Gloucestershire has seen connections part with £2,250 to add him to the field.

The big clash between Energumene and Edwardstone is still on as both also appeared among the confirmations.

The duo were set to clash at the race’s traditional home of Ascot, but with the Berkshire track’s meeting falling victim to the latest cold snap last Saturday, the pair now get the chance to return to the scene of their greatest triumphs .

Respective trainers Alan King and Willie Mullins were quick to state their intentions to line up in the rearranged contest and they have been joined by Joe Tizzard’s Amarillo Sky who was the only other horse declared for Ascot.

Amarillo Sky, here winning at Newbury, is a possible for the Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham
Amarillo Sky, here winning at Newbury, is a possible for the Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham (John Walton/PA)

Adding their names to the mix are Venetia Williams’ Funambule Sivola, who was second behind Energumene in the Champion Chase last March, and David Pipe’s Sizing Pottsie.

The Pond House handler admits his charge has a mountain to climb up against what appears the best of the two-mile division – but with an intended outing at Lingfield lost to the elements, is short of options and willing to take a chance in the hunt for the prize-money on offer.

“We would have liked to have gone to Lingfield on Sunday but he is limited for options,” said Pipe.

“Obviously we will be a big price but it won’t be that big a field. It’ll be the plan to try and get as much (prize money) as we can.”

Although the original contest was short of runners, the two-mile Grade One was only reoffered to those still engaged at the six-day forfeit stage.

National bid on Pipe’s radar for Kempton victor Remastered

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David Pipe believes there is a conversation to be had about the Randox Grand National following Remastered’s victory at Kempton over Christmas.

Victory in the Ladbrokes Play “1-2-Free” On Football Handicap Chase on Tuesday was the first time the nine-year-old has got his head in front over fences since landing the Grade Two Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase in 2021.

But he has proved to be in rude health this season following a wind operation in the summer, scoring over hurdles on reappearance before finishing an agonising second in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury in November.

He headed to the Sunbury track off a 4lb higher mark and defied plenty of problems both at the start and during the race to carry top-weight to a commanding four-and-a-half-length victory in a performance his handler regards as a career best.

“It looked like it was going to be a bit of a disaster,” said Pipe. “Not a lot went right in the race and he still managed to win, so it was a lovely performance. It was probably a career best and he has finished very strongly.”

Remastered’s strength at the back-end of his races this season seems to have convinced his handler to think about tackling the famous spruce at Aintree in the spring and the master of Pond House will now sit down with owners Brocade Racing to devise a plan for the rest of the campaign.

On the possibility of lining up in the National on April 15, Pipe added: “We haven’t had chance to speak about it at the present moment, but the way he is finishing his races this season, you would like to think he will get further.

“I haven’t been convinced in the past, but he has definitely been strong at the finish this season, so it will definitely be a conversation we will be having at some point.

“It will possibly be Haydock next, we’ll see what the handicapper does and then sit down with the owners and have a chat.”

Stat of the Day, 30th January 2020

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Wednesday's pick was...

6.45 Kempton : Glenn Coco @ 7/2 BOG 5th at 3/1 (Chased leaders, led entering final 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened soon after) 

Thursday's pick runs in the...

2.45 Ffos Las :

Before I post the daily selection, just a quick reminder of how I operate the service. Generally, I'll identify and share the selection in the evening before the following day's race and I then add a detailed write-up later on that night/next morning.

Those happy to take the early price on trust can do so, whilst some might prefer to wait for my reasoning. As I fit the early service in around my family life, I can't give an exact timing on the posts, so I suggest you follow us on Twitter and/or Facebook for instant notifications of a published pick.

Who?

Mr Clarkson @ 4/1 BOG

...in a 6-runner, Class 4, Beginners Chase for 5yo+ over 3m on Soft ground worth £4,289 to the winner...

Why?...

This 7 yr old gelding made the frame on his chase debut at Exeter on New Year's Day on similarly soft ground, albeit in a higher grade than today and over an inadequately short trip. Dropped in class and stepped up in trip, I expect him to build upon that first effort and go better here today.

In the beginners' races, it's quite often a case of how the horse fared over hurdles and possibly guessing whether he'll be handled to his liking over the bigger obstacles. To that end, he is arguably the best suited of today's 6 runners based on hurdling form and today's jockey does seem to get the best from him.

He has already won 6 of 15 (40% SR) races for profits of 18.14pts (+120.9% ROI) including the following under similar conditions to today...

  • 6/10 (60%) for 23.14pts (+231.4%) in fields of 6-13 runners
  • 6/9 (66.6%) for 24.14pts (+268.2%) at odds of Evens to 6/1
  • 5/12 (41.7%) for 13.68pts (+114%) under jockey David Noonan
  • 4/8 (50%) for 10.64pts (+133%) on Soft ground
  • 3/6 (50%) for 5.71pts (+95.2%) after less than 30 days rest
  • 3/6 (50%) for 12.96pts (+144%) in non-handicap contests
  • 3/5 (60%) for 7.5pts (+150%) at Class 4
  • and 2/4 (50%) for 11.11pts (+277.8%) over trips of 2m6f-3m...

...whilst from the above, he is 5 from 6 (83.3% SR) for 19.68pts (+328% ROI) when sent off at Evens to 6/1 in fields of 6-13 runners with David Noonan on his back, including a perfect three from three for 8.18pts (+272.7% ROI) on Soft ground...

...convincing me to place...a 1pt win bet on Mr Clarkson @ 4/1 BOG as was available at 8.10am Thursday morning from Bet365, BetVictor, Hills & Unibet (but please check your BOG status first) with that price becoming widely available shortly after. To see what your preferred bookie is quoting...

...click here for the betting on the 2.45 Ffos Las

Don't forget, we offer a full interactive racecard service every day!

REMINDER: THERE IS NO STAT OF THE DAY ON SUNDAYS

Here is today's racecard

P.S. all P/L returns quoted in the stats above are to Betfair SP, as I NEVER bet to ISP and neither should you. I always use BOG bookies for SotD, wherever possible, but I use BFSP for the stats as it is the nearest approximation I can give, so I actually expect to beat the returns I use to support my picks. If that's unclear, please ask!

P.P.S. I'm away for the weekend from lunchtime Friday until Monday afternoon, so whilst I'll do my best to stick to the usual timetable, it might not possible, but there'll definitely be picks from me for Saturday & Monday.