Pipe has high hopes for Palace
The impressive-looking six-year-old made it two wins from as many starts over fences at Cheltenham on Saturday when he readily upheld form with old rival Sausalito Sunrise.
That seven-length success forced bookmakers to make him their ante-post favourite for the RSA Chase at the Festival in March.
Though Pipe is reluctant to run Kings Palace in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day, his next outing is still likely to be away from Cheltenham, where he has competed in his last five races.
The Pond House handler told his website, www.davidpipe.com: “I cannot disguise how pleased I was with the performance of Kings Palace.
“He had already surpassed expectations with his bold jumping debut at the track the previous month, but, even so, there were still some doubters who thought Sausalito Sunrise might reverse the four-length margin of victory on 8lb better terms.
“His jumping was hard to fault and will surely stand him in good stead when further questions are asked of him.
“Although we have a good recent record in the race, with the victories of Grands Crus and Dynaste, Kings Palace will not run in the Feltham (Kauto Star Novices’ Chase) at Kempton as the race will come too soon for him. Instead, we will look to find a prep race for the Festival away from Cheltenham (where he has had his last five starts) in the new year.
“At this point, the sky really does look the limit for him.”
Mreanwhile, John Quinn’s exciting mare Aurore D’Estruval is set to make an appearance at either Cheltenham or Sandown on January 3.
An impressive winner on her seasonal reappearance at Wetherby at the start of November, the four-year-old stepped up to the top level in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and performed admirably to fill the runner-up spot behind Irving.
