Horse racing: David Pipe on his runners over the weekend
NO RUNNERS for us on Saturday, but we do send two to Ascot on Friday.
MOON RACER is a hugely talented horse and makes his debut over fences for us in the opening novices’ chase (1.00pm) at the grand old age of nine.
He made a pleasing reappearance over hurdles at Newbury earlier in the month and has schooled nicely over fences since.
It looks a small but select field and the ground should be perfect for him.
This looks the perfect starting point for him, although Nicky Henderson’s Wenyerreadyfreddie may take some catching from the front.
My other runner at Ascot is EASTER ERIC who lines up in the maiden hurdle (1.30pm).
He will definitely come on for his Aintree run behind Stoney Mountain last month, but he will need to if he’s to get involved here.
As for tomorrow’s action, I haven’t got any runners, so it will be an afternoon off with the kids I imagine.
I’ll end up recording the racing and watching it later tomorrow afternoon.
I’ll be very surprised if Might Bite doesn’t win the Betfair Chase at Haydock as the track and conditions should be right up his street.
Bristol De Mai loves it around Haydock, but I just wonder whether there will be enough juice in the ground for either him or Gold Cup winner Native River to show their best.
Looking further ahead to Sunday’s action and I won’t make final running plans until later this morning.
At this stage, I’d say that both MIRO and MUTANAQEL will both head to Exeter as they will like the decent surface.
The former will be having his first start for us since leaving Gordon Elliott, while the latter has had wind surgery since last seen at Plumpton in September.