AT TIMES this summer, it has felt a long time off the racecourse with a smaller team of horses to go to war with but we have had lots of placing from our select runners.

However, it was great to get that elusive first winner of the season at Newton Abbot on Friday when Best Night made a winning stable and hurdling debut . Carrying the David Pipe Racing Club colours she returned at 22-1, so lots of members had a few pounds on each way and were very happy!

Saccary made a pleasing return to action on the same card to be fourth and I am sure he can build on this going forwards and Bashful Boy ran another solid race in the Cesarewitch trial at Newmarket over the weekend.

Things look fairly quiet on the runners front once again this week with not much jumps action to speak of and the weather is turning colder and drier for much of it.

Our first runners of the week will be at Worcester on Friday where we hope to run Old Bridge in the ARC novices handicap hurdle final. Kintaro also holds an entry over fences in the 2m4f novices handicap chase on the card. Keep checking the Daily News on the website for the latest news on the stable runners.

We welcomed another 70 owners to Pond House on Saturday to conclude our owners’ days for this year and once again, I think it was well received.

Meet some more of our horses: Shot Boii (IRE) - A tough and consistent individual who did not manage to get his head in front last season but does have five wins over hurdles and fences. We will be disappointed if he cannot return to winning ways this time around.

Sirekoff (IRE) -A winner on stable debut at Newton Abbot last year he struggled a bit in handicaps after this. A good second at Bangor in the spring he unfortunately picked up a little injury at Worcester after this. Now on a workable handicap mark we will be hoping to get him back to the track in the summer of 2026.

Skin Full (IRE) - He took a while to find his feet over hurdles last season but appreciated stepping up to three miles which brought about improvement to finish a close second at Doncaster. Won easily at Taunton on his next start but sadly picked up an injury in the race and will miss this season. A lovely individual with time on his side, we look forward to getting him back next year.

Thanksforthehelp (FR) - He has plenty of ability and gave the team a nice win at Punchestown in April. He stayed here the summer and had a short break so is plenty forward in his work and even off a mark of 127. He is lightly raced for his age and acts on any ground and might well go chasing at some point this season.

Turenne (FR) - A nice new recruit from France who won over hurdles at Compiegne in May. Still early days and we are learning about him but he goes nicely at home and shows a good attitude. He has a nice bit of size and scope, and he is one we are very excited about in juvenile hurdles this winter.

David Pipe’s column as told to Richard Walsh