Pipe’s number comes up

By Martin Kelly

Saturday, December 05, 2009

SEVEN Is My Number shook up the betting for the Boylesports Gold Cup on Saturday week by claiming some notable scalps in the betinternet.com Future Stars Chase at Sandown yesterday.<

Coral were impressed enough by the seven-length success to make David Pipe’s representative their 5-1 second favourite for the Cheltenham event with William Hill and Victor Chandler going 8-1 from 12s.

The seven-year-old had racked up three novice chase wins before appearing to not get home over three miles at Ascot.

But the David Johnson-owned 9-4 chance had no problems with that trip on this occasion and Timmy Murphy nursed him clear from the Pond fence to account for Paul Nicholls’ duo of Kicks For Free and Tatenen.

Pipe, speaking by phone from Exeter, said: "It was a good performance as I thought the ground would be soft enough for him.

"The slow pace probably played into our hands but I am sure he will stay (a truly-run) three miles in time.

"He has had a lot of problems but has a good engine and it is always pleasing to see him win.

"I need to speak to DJ (Johnson) but if he comes out of the race well then we will look at the Boylesports."

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, December 05, 2009