David Pipe has been enjoying a terrific season with a plethora of big Saturday success, and the stable remains in flying form going into the most important four days of the jumps calendar. Broke his Festival duck when Gaspara landed a gamble in last year’s Fred Winter and, while he doesn’t have the strength in depth to compete with Paul Nicholls, he will still take a strong team to this year’s Festival, for which Totesport make him 12/1 to finish top trainer*.
Champion Hurdle (2m 1f):
Osana - Has not been out since winning at Cheltenham in December, where he had several of his Champion Hurdle rivals behind. Before that, he had finished second to Sizing Europe (receiving 6lb) in the Greatwood Hurdle, again at Cheltenham, and the form of that race couldn't have worked out better - even the fifth Pigeon Island has won a Grade 2 novice since. Likes to race up with the pace, not unlike Martin Pipe’s Champion hurdler Make A Stand, and his fluent jumping and experience of the track will make him hard to beat, although whether he can hold off Sizing Europe's late surge is another matter.
Current best price: 6/1 William Hill n
William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase (3m ½f):
An Accordion, Celestial Gold and Abragante - The former has a favourite’s chance despite an 11lb hike in the ratings after winning at Doncaster last time, although his jumping is a slight concern (nearly fell here on his penultimate start). Celestial Gold has been disappointing but shouldn’t be written off yet, while Abragante has been kept fresh for this and could run really well at a big price.
Current best prices: 5/1 (general), 40/1 (Paddy Power) and 16/1 (Skybet) respectively
Queen Mother Champion Chase (2m):
Tamarinbleu - Also entered in the Ryanair, but given that the stable has the fancied Our Vic in that race he’s more likely to run here instead. The fact that his defeat of Twist Magic at Ascot is arguably the single best piece of 2m chase form also points to his chances here, although second guessing the Pipe’s can be tricky. Wherever he runs, he’s sure to go well.
Current best price: 13/2 BetDirect
Ryanair Chase (2m 5f):
Our Vic - Much more consistent these days and ran a cracker in the King George when second to Kauto Star. This will be the fourth time he has run in this race and it must be in his favour that it’s now a Grade 1 at level weights - close second last year giving 5lb to Taranis. Trainer’s best chance of a winner.
Current best price: 5/1 Totesport
World Hurdle (3m):
Lough Derg - Nothing wrong with his attitude as he just keeps coming back for more, but whether he’s up to this class remains to be seen. Still, if Inglis Drever and a couple of the other fancied runners don’t run up to form, he could make the frame.
Current best price: 20/1 William Hill
Triumph Hurdle (2m 1f):
Ashkazar - Favourite for Saturday's Imperial Cup at Sandown and his performance there will determine whether he lines up in this (also in the Fred Winter). Certainly has the class judged on his two wins this season (beaten on bad ground at Chepstow in between), but he may be more suited to Aintree’s flatter track. Trainer holds him in high regard.
Current best price: 12/1 Boylesports
David Nicholson Mares Only Hurdle (2m 4½f):
Gaspara - Has been running in all the better races this season without getting her head in front. Still, she acts on the track as she showed when winning the Fred Winter last year, and drying ground would be in her favour. Obvious place chance.
Current best price: 7/1 VCbet
Pipe also looks to have chances with: Over The Creek (National Hunt Chase), My Immortal (Kim Muir), and Buena Vista (Pertemps Final). The latter is set to carry 10st 4lb and would be very interesting if Francois Doumen decides to run Millenium Royal off top weight as that would keep many of the runners out of the handicap, i.e., carrying more than their allotted weight. At the time of writing, Buena Vista is a 16/1 chance with bet365.
*Settled on the number of winners trained. If there is a tie for the number of winners, it will go down to the number of second places, if there is still a tie, the number of third places will be taken into account.