WITH weather conditions on the dry side last week, we did not have that many runners but I was delighted to get another win on the board with Vision De Maine winning for the second time this season, this time at Lingfield and making it two from two over fences.
He made one bad jumping error mid-race with which we all had our hearts in our mouths for a second, but he jumped perfectly after this and he drew away from his nearest pursuers after the last. He is a relentless galloper and the further he goes the better he goes. We will see what the handicapper does to his rating on Tuesday morning but I do not think they can be too harsh and there is plenty more to come.
Activist got the new week off to a great start by winning at Leicester on Monday afternoon. It was his seasonal reappearance and he bounced right back to form. He travelled and jumped well towards the head of affairs in a competitive looking race. Jack sent him on approaching the second last hurdle, and he galloped all the way to the line. A rival began to close on him approaching the finish but he was always doing enough; it was a nice performance and hopefully he can build on this going forwards.
Activist was our 29th winner of the season and the horses remain in good form. Steppenwolf returned from a break with a good second at Kempton while Lock Out ran well enough to be third at Taunton. The course is probably a little sharp for him and he will be better returned to a more galloping track next time.
American Sniper was not beaten far in sixth place when trying to win the conditional jockeys race at Cheltenham for the second consecutive year. In hindsight, he may have run a bit free in first time blinkers but he galloped all the way to the line and carrying the penalty from his win at Newbury the previous week was just a bit much for him this time. Thanksforthehelp ran well enough to be fourth at Cheltenham on Saturday. He has not been the easiest to train in the last couple of years and although disappointing not to win, it was a step back in the right direction and there is a nice prize in him, probably on a little softer going.
On Tuesday, we travel to Fakenham with two runners, Micronormous and Dindin. It is a long way for us to travel but there is good prize money on offer for the grade of race.
On Wednesday, we have just the two runners, one at Ffos Las and one at Warwick. On Thursday, we have First Lord Du Cuet entered in the Veterans chase at Warwick but he does hold further entries at the weekend.
Rian Corcoran is likely to have his first ride for me since starting work full time at Pond House at Wincanton and will team up with African Lady in the opening contest on the card.
On Friday, we have a few entries at Chepstow and at the weekend, we have entries at Ascot, Haydock, Exeter and Uttoxeter.
Keep checking the Daily News on the website for the latest information on the stable runners. Our Haydock entries include Phantomofthepoints in the stayer’s handicap hurdle, a race we have done well at in the past. He also has an entry in the 2m3f handicap hurdle as well on the card and we will see what the weather does this week before deciding which race he will run in.
David Pipe’s column