Festival options for Pipe ace
David Pipe is mulling the Cheltenham Festival options for Notus De La Tour following his admirable placed effort on Sunday.
The six-year-old was beaten some 21 lengths in finishing third behind impressive scorer Flemenstar in the Irish Arkle, his second placing in Grade One company in Ireland. Pipe is now considering a drop in class at the Festival in March.
"He ran another fine race at Leopardstown and Robbie Power gave him another great ride but we (and the rest of the field) were no match for the very impressive winner, Flemenstar," Pipe told his website.
"It is reported the winner will not be heading to Cheltenham in March but wherever he does turn out, it will take a very good horse to beat him.
"The ultra-consistent Notus De La Tour will now head straight to the Festival but his exact target has yet to be decided. It may be either the Jewson Novices' Chase or the Byrne Group Chase."
Pipe also hit the bar with Dynaste in Saturday's Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham. The grey looked to have superstar stayer Big Buck's in trouble two out but the reigning champion turned on the style and Dynaste had to settle for second, although that was an improvement on his previous fourth behind Paul Nicholls' staying king at Ascot.
Pipe added: "We tried to beat the mighty Big Bucks and although we got much closer this time with the slight change of tactics, he once again showed us all just how good he is.
"For a few strides I thought just maybe, just maybe today may be the day we may be able to get our head in front, but I am sure he just likes to keep us all on the edge of our seats as he powered away from us up the Cheltenham hill! I am thoroughly delighted with the performance of our six-year-old, Dynaste.
"The different tactics did give us a better chance of throwing down a challenge to the champ and he probably ran the race of his life. He has come out of the race well and will now head to Cheltenham in March with the World Hurdle his target where we will again have another crack at Big Bucks. There is some nice place money on offer too and whatever happens there, I am very excited about him going novice chasing next season."
30 January 2012
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