Something a brewing with Bobby Ewing

David Pipe is regarded as something of a big handicap race specialist but has yet to win the prestigious Betfair Trophy at Newbury. In the unexposed Bobby Ewing the Nicholashayne handler could have just the right horse to correct that omission from the trainer’s already impressive CV, writes Elliot Slater.

Pipe’s father Martin won the Newbury two-mile cavalry charge with champion hurdler Make A Stand in 1997 and then with another classy performer Copeland in 2002, (when the race was known as the Totesport Trophy), and time might well prove that Bobby Ewing is the horse to get his son David’s name etched onto the coveted trophy as the form of the long absent seven-year-old is definitely worth considering when allied to his current handicap mark of just 139 and the latest horse racing betting reflects this.

Bobby Ewing hasn’t been seen in public since December 2009 and clearly has had more than his fair share of problems over the last couple of years. Trained in all three previous runs under rules by Nigel Twiston-Davies, the Bob’s Return gelding joined Pipe at the end of last year and it is highly significant that despite his long absence connections have made such a high profile entry for the horse.

An impressive winner of a two-mile five-furlong novice hurdle at Uttoxeter in October 2009 on his racecourse bow, the then four-year-old was turned out just 16 days later in Grade 2 company where he showed inexperience and finished fourth to Tell Massini at Doncaster, before returning four weeks later to easily land a Doncaster Novice hurdle, easily beating none other than subsequent Supreme Novices Hurdle winner and Champion Hurdle contender Menorah by no less than 10-lengths.

That performance speaks for itself, and if he is still as good as when trouncing Philip Hobbs’ horse then he would be a ‘shoe-in’ for the Betfair Hurdle. As it is punters are taking a chance with his fitness and wellbeing but Bobby Ewing, offered at odds of up to 16/1, could well prove to be a blot on the handicap for the Newbury showcase event.