PIPE CLEANS UP THANKS TO BIG-RACE DEFECTIONS
Ron Cox in Exeter

The Guardian
Wednesday November 7, 2007

· Pablo lifts Gold Cup after champion chaser’s exit
· Trainer not keen on Paddy Power Chase for winner

When Voy Por Ustedes, the two-mile champion chaser, was a late defector
from the William Hill Gold Cup here yesterday, closely followed
by Twist Magic, who has been touted as the next top two-miler, the
collective sighs from the Exeter executive could be heard around the
west country.

One local not complaining, however, was trainer David Pipe, whose
Pablo Du Charmil made the short journey from his Nicholashayne base
in Somerset to plunder the Grade Two prize and a winner’s purse of
nearly £40,000.

"We wouldn’t have run if Voy Por Ustedes was here, as we would have
been 7lb wrong in the weights," said Pipe. "I told Joe [Moran, the
owner] we weren’t running but after the top weight came out he said
we had made the right decision. He had walked the track and said it
was nice, safe ground."

With a roll of honour that includes winners of the calibre of Best
Mate, Edredon Bleu and Azertyuiop, the William Hill Gold Cup has earned
its status as one of jump racing’s early-season highlights. Pablo
Du Charmil may not go down as one of chasing’s greats, but he gave
a packed grandstand plenty to shout about.

Under an attacking ride from Tom Scudamore, the six-year-old grabbed
an early lead which he never relinquished. Turning into the home
straight with a healthy advantage, he kept up the gallop to hold off
Royal Shakespeare for a three-lengths victory.

"Tom chucked him at the last and he came up for him like a brave
horse," said Pipe. Hill’s cut Pablo Du Charmil from 25-1 to 16-1
for the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday week, but Pipe said he was
"not keen" on going for that.

Fair Along, who stayed on to finish third after an untidy round of
jumping, will probably go "left-handed and over 2½ miles next time"
according to his trainer, Philip Hobbs, but the Paddy Power did not
figure in immediate plans either. "It suits him to be out in front,
which he didn’t get here," said Hobbs. "But he didn’t jump as well
as he can and we’ll need time to put that right."

Hobbs, who notched a double with Shanxi Girl and Templer, confirmed
that the Ascot Hurdle later this month will be Detroit City’s first
chance this season to bounce back from his dismal efforts at Cheltenham
and Aintree in the spring. "He seems in good form," said Hobbs. "But
we’ll have to see. He takes a lot of work and he’ll have three weeks’
hard graft ahead."

Kevin Bishop, who was out of luck with Gumley Gale in the penultimate
race here, said his stable star Ashley Brook, who began his chasing
career with an impressive win on this card three years ago, will be
given an entry for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Ashley Brook suffered a puncture wound to his hind fetlock when
he came down when leading four fences from home in the Old Roan
Chase. "Paddy [Brennan] said he still had plenty of running left in
him," said Bishop. "There’s a way to go with him yet, which probably
rules out the Tingle Creek at Sandown. But we will certainly consider
the King George."

Jim Old kicked off his season through Counting House in the
williamhillcasino.com Novice Hurdle. The 5-4 favourite seemed none
the worse for finishing second at Ascot on Saturday and sat on the
shoulder of Armenian Boy as the pair drew clear. Counting House, trying
an extra three furlongs here, stamped his authority on proceedings
in the home straight under Jason Maguire.

Ron Cox’s tip of the day

Points Of View 7.20 Kempton

Seb Sanders looks to have a fine chance of cutting Jamie Spencer’s lead
in the jockeys’ title race by at least one today on this two-year-old
who will be well suited by the step up to a mile. The selection left
his previous form behind when winning what looked an above-average
nursery over seven furlongs at Kempton last week and should be
supported to defy his 6lb penalty for that success.

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