Pipe back among the winners
Martin Pipe brought to an end a losing run stretching back almost two weeks when 9-4 favourite Lough Derg landed the Christine Loze Birthday Beginners’ Chase at Exeter.
The 15-times champion trainer had gone 47 runners without a winner before Tom Scudamore’s mount came to the rescue, beating Tighten Your Belt and Bob Bob Bobbin by six lengths and three and a half.
“It’s a relief for everyone at Nicholashayne and I hope I’ve turned the corner, but who knows?” said Pipe.
And pointing to the number one sign in the winner’s circle, he asked the question: “Am I in the right place?
“This is a very tough horse and he’s got me off the cold list for what must be one of my longest losing runs. I was worried about the ground because he wants it quicker, but he battled on under a great ride by Tom.”
Pipe’s poor run of form has seen Paul Nicholls harden in the betting for the trainers’ championship and he was on the mark with Reflected Glory in the South-West Racing Club Handicap Chase.
Christian Williams committed the 7-2 favourite early in the straight and the combination kept on strongly to score by six lengths from Wain Mountain.
Nicholls was represented by his assistant Daniel Skelton, who said: “Paul opted for this race in favour of the novice chase which looked hotter. Hopefully the win will act as a boost for one of the owners Derek Millard, who is in hospital.”
There was a confidence-boosting success for Supreme Serenade (8-11) in the EBF/Tattersalls Mares’ Only Novices’ Chase (Qualifier) when the odds-on chance took advantage of the last-fence fall of Perle de Puce.
Richard Johnson was sat motionless on Supreme Serenade and even though Perle de Puce and Sam Waley-Cohen were almost level at the time, it would have taken an optimist to suggest the result would have been any different.
Philip Hobbs may now raise the sights of his 10-length scorer, his wife Sarah saying: “Richard was very pleased with her jumping and says she is a lot better in that department.
“There’s a chance she will go for a valuable race at Sandown over Christmas.”
Favourite backers were dealt a blow when the odds-on Border Castle could finish only third, beaten half a length and three lengths by Dare Too Dream and The Sawyer in the Jean Browning Happy Retirement Novices’ Hurdle.
Dare Too Dream (25-1) is one of nine foals from the top staying mare Dubacilla and there was plenty to like about the way he edged home in the hands of J P McNamara.
Paul Blockley sent out his first winner at the course when Kings Rock sprang a 28-1 surprise in the gg.com Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle.
Faye Bramley excelled on Kings Rock, who came home three lengths clear of Kings Bay to give the rider her first winner over jumps and six in all.
Blockley will now point the winner at a beginners’ chase at Chepstow over Christmas.
