THREE second places came from our very few runners in the past seven days, two under rules and one in the pointing field.

Best Night backed up her win at Huntingdon on her penultimate start with a solid second at Hereford. Saccary ran well again to be second at Uttoxeter while Ben Lilly ran well to be second in an open point to point at Trebudannon on Sunday with Ashley Dascombe on board.

We did have a couple of disappointments last week, with Indulto Rouge and Purple Owl both under performing at Southwell.

This week our first runners will be at Wincanton on Wednesday. Harry Junior will be looking to follow up his win from Exeter last time in the three mile novices handicap hurdle. Mancero has run slightly better in his last two starts but our French hurdle winner needs to show more from a relenting handicap mark this time.

On Thursday, we have Parchment and Jaipaletemps entered at Chepstow and we will decide if they run or not on Tuesday morning and there is no jumps racing on Good Friday.

On Saturday, Neon Moon is an intended runner in the middle distance veterans chase final at Haydock and Rian Corcoran will ride. It is a race I have had planned for him for a while and the track and ground will suit. He is back down to a competitive mark, with Rian taking the seven pounds off I would hope he can run well.

Over the weekend, we also have entries at Newton Abbot’s first fixture of the year on Saturday and at Huntingdon as well. Keep checking the Daily News on the website for all the latest news on the stable runners.

My mother set the yard a challenge of an Easter Bonnet competition and this Saturday the offerings of the staff will be judged anonymously by Amanda Barrie. We have a lot of very competitive staff members and I know there has already been a lot of work put in by some. I shall look forward to unveiling some photos and the prize winners next week.

I am saddened to inform you all that we had to have Chemical Warfare put to sleep last week due to deteriorating health. As many of you will remember, he had a terrific campaign for us last season and he won eight races from 14 starts and was perhaps unlucky not to have had another one when falling late on when holding every chance at the time.

He was also awarded a Timeform Special Recognition award for his achievements which meant a lot to us and his owners.

He had two runs this winter following a summer holiday and he was struggling to be anywhere like the horse we knew he was. We had him checked over by our vets and they discovered an issue with his heart. He was treated and then rested and he loved going out in the paddock for grass daily and the plan was for him to retire at home with his owners but within the last couple of weeks he really lost his sparkle and we were left with no option on veterinary advice to the kindest thing for him. He will be sadly missed but leaves us with some wonderful memories.

Dave Pipe was talking to Richard Walsh