I have just returned from a nice week in Portugal with the family where it was very hot but lovely to get away for a few days of R & R! Now back, it is now full steam ahead with the horses as they are all back in from their summer holidays and the yard is a hive of activity.

Last week we just had the two runners on the track; Old Bridge finished a ‘better’ fourth back at Newton Abbot while Hammer Dan finished third back at Worcester not finishing as strongly as we had hoped this time.

This week, Ocean Heights is our only entry and he has a possibility under each code, with a flat and a hurdles entry on Friday.

I will now continue to look at the horses we are assembling for the season ahead in alphabetical order; some established names as well as some exciting new recruits in the coming weeks;

Activist - A four-time winner over hurdles from 2m to 2m3f, including twice last season. He handles all types of ground, is a very good jumper, and will go chasing at some point.

Allstitchedup - Just the one run in a bumper last season, which did not quite go to plan, after which he had a small setback. Was ready to run again in the spring when the ground dried up and went against him. Will start over hurdles but is a staying chaser of the future.

American Sniper - Won a Pertemps qualifier at Newbury last season, his fourth career success over hurdles. Ran well at the Cheltenham Festival and then at Punchestown we are looking forward to him going chasing this season.

Bashful Boy - returned from a winter break with a good run in the Chester Cup and continues to run well on the flat. An eight-time career winner there are more races to me won with this likeable horse.

Belfrina - An exciting young filly with lots of potential for the season ahead. A little green on hurdling debut where she finished second.She works well at home and has an attitude to match so there is plenty more improvement to come this winter.

Best Night - A new recruit from France who has had just five career starts to date finishing a neck second last time out over 3000m at Lion D’Angers. She shows a great attitude in her races and is a nice dual-purpose prospect for our racing club.

Our David Pipe Racing Club has had 27 winners and counting and membership to the club is just £150 for a year, which runs for twelve months from the date of joining.

Members can expect great fun at an affordable price with regular racecourse runners and the chance of race day owner’s badges. It is a great for yourself and also an ideal gift for any racing fan.

Now is a great time to join as members are invited to a Pond House stable visit in September to meet our club horses and all the other horses in the yard, watch horses on the gallops and swim.

You will also meet David and his father 15x champion trainer Martin Pipe.

To become a member please give the office a call on 01884 840715 or email [email protected] and a member of our team would be delighted to give you more details.

David Pipe’s column as told to Richard Walsh.