David Pipe is certainly no stranger to the big day and the Cheltenham Festival for that matter. Better known for his handicap plots and stay-at-home chasers, he has a top hurdler to battle this season that we’ll see in a second.
Before we move on to the horse in question, it’s worth mentioning that he thinks Israel Champs maybe a black horse this season. The horse has been off the track for 20 months or so with an injury but Pipe is quoted as saying:
‘He picked up a tendon injury last season, which was frustrating, but he’s back in full fitness and should be out around Christmas. He’s been in very good bumper form especially in Ascot when he beat Soaring Glory giving him 4lb so he’ll be excited to get over the hurdles. I imagine we’ll start over two miles but he could go further. He is a beast of a horse and we are very hopeful. ‘
Israel Champ is not currently betting on the Supreme Newcomers Race for Power but if he returns to his career over the Christmas period, he could be a short enough bid for the race.
Can David Pipe win Champion Hurdle?
After reading David’s Pipeline Stability Tour, which can be found on Car racing site for members, there’s a horse in particular that he sounds incredibly excited about.
A winner of the 1st Grade Teen Rush Competition in Chepstow in January, Adagio is a classy hurdler and could be a Champion Hurdle heavyweight contender for David Pipe and connections this season.
The four-year-old German-born boy finished second in the Triumph Hurdle in March before finishing in the same place in the four-year-old hurdles at Aintree a month later.
Adagio made a big splash with his return to action when he finished second in the Greatwood Hurdle, only to find the handicapped West Cork too good for the day. He went into the race strong and the connections will be delighted with that run.
David Pipe Quotes
‘He ran a great race to finish second at Greatwood under the heavyweight division; It will be difficult to win but he performed very well. I think it’s a career best and we’ll look at International next. He deserves to go there and he loves it at Cheltenham. He played great last season and the strength of the four-year-old doesn’t look too bad. We like to think and dream that he will finish Champion Hurdle. He has to improve but we hope he can – he’s got a bit of a rush to get to Cheltenham, so we expect more to come. ‘
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