Horse Racing Preview: David Pipe looks at his chances this weekend

I’M REALLY excited to be launching the City Syndicate this week, so keep an eye out for the adverts in the paper.

It seemed a natural progression to expand my association with City PM and what better way of doing so than by forming an exciting race horse ownership syndicate.

I am currently scouting for two horses and look forward to updating you all over the coming weeks.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, the plan is to send DAKLONDIKE up to Newcastle for the Eider Chase (2.40pm).

He won nicely at Haydock in December and then was a bit unlucky there last month when Tom [Scudamore] was bumped out of the saddle early on.

In an ideal world he would prefer softer ground, not because he doesn’t handle better conditions, it just slows the others up a bit.

He is quirky and can get a bit behind, but the step up in trip will help and I’m hopeful.

I’m planning to run EAMON AN CNOIC either at Chepstow (4.15pm) or Newcastle (4.30pm) tomorrow and he is one we have always liked.

He has had his wind done since his last run, so I’m hopeful he can step forward now.

As for today’s action, UMBRIGADO is back out again (Exeter 3.10pm) having been an impressive winner of his maiden hurdle at Southwell last December.

He’ll get further in time but has always been a horse we have held in high regard.

Last weekend was a bit painful with RAMSES DE TEILLEE being reeled in by Robinsfirth in the Grand National Trial at Haydock.

That was one hell of a run and he looked like winning just like he did at Christmas before just being denied. He’s gone up another 5lbs for that effort and is in the Grand National, but we will have a think about that nearer the time.

The ground was just a bit too lively for VIEUX LION ROUGE in the same race and he will now be freshened up for a tilt at Aintree.

RATHLIN ROSE is none the worse for his unseat in the Royal Artillery at Sandown and he was just beginning to get involved.

We will head back to Sandown again with him for the Grand Military Gold Cup next month and he could do with some rain.