Pippy shooting for Roo-Dee glory Wayne Rooney gets his first taste of racehorse ownership on Wednesday as Pippy makes his racecourse debut at Chester. The England international striker and his wife, Coleen, purchased three horses to be trained by Tom Dascombe, who is based at Manor House Stables in Cheshire, a yard part-owned by Rooney's Manchester United colleague Michael Owen. Pippy, a juvenile colt by Exceed And Excel, runs in the Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes, this year sponsored by Manor House Stables. "Pippy is fine. He's quite a nice little horse, but we're obviously throwing him in at the deep end," said Dascombe. "We couldn't be sure Pippy would get in the maiden later in the week so we'll try him in the Lily Agnes and see what happens. "The draw is obviously all important and he isn't drawn badly (stall five). "He'll be doing his best and if he doesn't win, I'm sure he'll win a maiden in the not too distant future." Rooney and his United teammates are frequent racegoers at Chester's May meeting and he will not have to wait long for his second runner as Tomway has been declared to run in Thursday's five-furlong maiden. "Tomway is drawn 11, which is an absolutely shocking draw and he'll probably struggle from there," said the trainer. "But again, whatever happens this week, hopefully it will just be a matter of time before he wins his race. "Hopefully everyone has an enjoyable week, that's the main thing."
