Pipe bids to emulate his father
David Pipe has three chances to enjoy a major boost ahead of the imminent arrival of the National Hunt season in tomorrow's Betfred Cesarewitch at Newmarket.
Jump trainers regularly have success over the two and a quarter miles of this famous handicap, with Nicky Henderson as well as Pipe’s father Martin striking on several occasions in the not too distant past.
Big Occasion was a winner for Aidan O’Brien last year and Pipe has made the interesting decision to book O’Brien’s son Joseph for the mount.
William Buick is aboard the Robin Geffen-owned Beyond, seemingly the leading hope for the yard after making a winning debut for the stable at Sandown in July.
While Tasheba, a former Henderson inmate who has run over hurdles for Pipe, is the mount of Kieran O’Neill.
“Big Occasion ran an OK race (at Newmarket on his first run for the stable) and I think he’ll improve for the run,” said Pipe.
“We go on Saturday with a lot of weight and we would appreciate some more rain really – the softer the better for him.
“It’s not going to be ideal for him but it’s a big race and we’ve got Joseph O’Brien on board, who has won on him before. It’s worth taking our chance.
“He’s an out and out galloper and the quicker they go on Saturday the better.
“Beyond is still at the right end of the handicap and he won nicely for us at Sandown over a mile and six (furlongs).
“This has always been the long-term plan, he’ll love the ground and he’s in good form at home. Hopefully he has a good chance.”
Cosimo de Medici has taken trainer Hughie Morrison by surprise but has managed to become a major contender after taking last month's Cesarewitch Trial in comfortable fashion over the course and distance.
He carries a 4lb penalty for the win.
“Everything is fine with him, he worked well on Tuesday and he’s a horse who has done nothing but improve all season,” said Morrison.
“We put him in the race thinking he would never get in, but then he won at Newmarket in August.
“We then thought we’d better have a go at the Cesarewitch Trial and he’s somehow managed to win again.
“He’s had a fantastic year already and I suppose he’s got to stop improving some time. It would probably be too much to ask for him to win again, but we’ll have a go and see what happens.
“He’s won on soft ground and he’s won on fast ground, so that shouldn’t be an issue.”
