NTF 1 to follow from the weekend: Pipe viewing victory for the hunter…

A bumper crowd was in attendance at Perth over the weekend for what turned out to be a cracking day of summer racing. It was great to see the Dr Newland trained BOBOWEN secure his 4th win on the bounce in the Class 3 handicap chase and indeed his 3rd win in a row since being highlighted as a ‘NTF 1 to follow from the weekend’ horse last month. The 6yo put in a fluent, precise and straight round of jumping and really looks like an exciting chaser for the yard (now 2 from 2 over fences). Granted he wandered about a tad over the last couple but that could easily have been a bit of idling as he did travel supremely well for the entire contest up to that point.

Despite BOBOWEN once again impressing me with his authoritative display he does not make it as my ‘1 to follow’ this week. That honour goes to one of the beaten runners in the positively titled ‘Summer Champion Hurdle’ –

Here is my NTF 1 to follow from the weekend –

HUNTERVIEW (D Pipe) – Saturday 4.15 Perth – 4th in the Class 2 Summer Champion Hurdle

The David Pipe trained gelding was having his first hurdle start since disappointing at Hexham in June of last year. Indeed this was only his 2nd start since then having made an inauspicious return on the flat at Ffos Las at the start of the month (a well beaten 5th of 5 after over a year off the track). Despite running soundly for a vast majority of the contest I have a feeling the 6yo may have just needed this run as well to sharpen his fitness levels after his lengthy break. He was travelling strongly at the head of affairs and had just poked his nose in-front approaching 2 out when he made a bit of a hashed attempt at clearing the obstacle. That seemed to knock his momentum and despite sticking on well for 4th I did get the feeling his fitness levels had emptied when he clouted the 2nd last and as such he was left with little in the tank for the final push. This was, however, a competitive race with a number of fast improving sorts in the line-up and his 4th placed finish should be looked upon favourably, he showed he still retains plenty of ability and the run will have brought him on perfectly in the fitness stakes. We must remember he is still only a 6yo with a relatively light 14 runs under his belt and he still should have plenty more to offer. He currently sits on a mark of 130 and that makes him of great interest. He comfortably won the 2011 Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh off the same mark and then followed up that run with a 3rd in the same season’s Swinton Hurdle at Haydock off 134. This drop back down to 130 looks lenient to me and as such I expect him to be competitive from it now he should be a much sharper horse.

As far as his ideal conditions go I do think there are a couple of points of interest –

Although he does appear to handle GOOD or better ground I do think GOOD TO SOFT or worse suits him best –

Record on GOOD or better – 0-1-0-0-0-6-3-4

Record on GOOD TO SOFT or worse – 2-4-1-3-1-4

I would be happier backing with cut in the ground although I would certainly not rule him out on a faster surface.

It is also interesting to note that his best performances have come at the bare minimum trip of 2 miles –

Record over 2 miles – 4-1-1-1-6-3

Record over 2 miles 1/2 a furlong or further – 2-0-0-0-3-0-4-4

Again this is maybe not something to completely hang your hat on but it is worthy of consideration. Saturdays race was over 2m 1/2 a furlong and that may have also contributed to his weak finish.

There is no doubt in my mind that this horse has more to offer and providing David Pipe can find the correct openings for him he should be able to add at least one victory to his CV this season, hopefully in the near future.

HUNTERVIEW ideal conditions – Good to Soft or worse underfoot | The minimum trip of 2 miles

Now it’s your turn –

Who were the runners that caught your attention and went in your own notebook as ones to follow from the weekend?

Drop me a comment below and share your runners to follow from the weekend (Flat or Jumps) with the NTF community.

Happy ‘summer’ Punting!

p.s. Today’s ‘Return to the Track’ post can be found here

Ben – (NTF)