OCEAN Heights and Bashful Boy both ran well on the flat at Newbury last week to finish third. Bashful Boy looked the winner until the final 100 yards but was overtaken towards the line and while a little frustrating it was nice to see him bounce back after a lesser effort last time.

Our only other runners last week came at Worcester on Wednesday which was a day to forget. Micronormous got no further than the first fence but is thankfully none the worse for the fall but sadly we lost Seymourjohn later in the day following a fall over hurdles. He rather dived at the obstacle and suffered a fatal injury, which he would have known nothing about. We all know these things can happen but it does not make it any easier when it does. Our thoughts are with Bex who looked after him and all our members of the David Pipe Racing club Chose colours he carried.

Our first runners of this week will be back at Worcester on Wednesday where we have three declared and Jack Tudor is on board all of them. Jaipaletemps is looking to go one place better than a good second at the track last time out. On the current ground, he should appreciate the step up in trip to 2m4f this time.

Chemical Warfare runs in the 2m7f handicap chase and after a fantastic season, he was a little disappointing last time. That was over hurdles and he will appreciate returning to fences this time.

Hammer Dan completes our trio of runners and he returned to action last time with a good second at Newton Abbot.

Later in the week, we have entries at Newton Abbot on Friday so keep checking the Daily News on the website for all the latest news on the stable runners.

I enjoyed three days at Royal Ascot and the other two days watching the action from the comfort of the sofa although it was difficult to find the winners from whatever vantage point I had! Leanne and I are off to the Arqana Deauville sales on Monday evening where there is a nice mix of youngsters, raced and unraced up for sale during the week. If anyone would like to know more about the sales please do get in touch with the office, [email protected]

Gearoid Harney and I have had a chat and he is moving onto pastures new in the very near future. While he still unsure of his long term plans, he is moving closer to family and friends for the time being.

Martin McIntyre went to see specialists in Cardiff last week about his shoulder, which is not healing as well as hoped following a fall at Ludlow in April. While frustrating, ‘Fly’ is at least not missing too much on the riding front at present.

Rian Corcoran has been over to France and is now back. He rode out at a few different yards and is now heading off to Gordon Elliott’s for a couple of weeks before doing his conditional jockeys course next month.

Our youngest daughter Martha is continuing to do well and came home from her school sports day with three first places and a third. Her victories came in the high jump, target throwing and 100m sprint.

Dave Pipe column as told to Richard Walsh