IT WAS the perfect start to the hurdling career of Gentleman Toboot at Newton Abbot last week after he made a winning debut under Jack Tudor.

His jumping was a little novicey at times, including the last two flights of hurdles, which was not ideal, but he showed his class to win going away at the line. He will have learnt a lot from that experience and will be seen to even better effect on a more galloping track over further in time, but this was a good starting point. There are no immediate plans with him but he has come out of the race well and we shall look for another similar type of novice hurdle in a couple of weeks’ time.

Old Bridge was our first runner of the week at Hereford on Monday and he ran well to be a close second.

Kingston Queen will make her hurdling debut at Chepstow on Wednesday in the 2m3f maiden hurdle. She brings some high-class bumper form to the table and is another I hope can be among the leading novices this season, especially in the mare’s division.

Thanksforthehelp and Gold in the Rivers have entries in the Pertemps qualifiers at Newbury on Thursday and at Aintree on Saturday while we have a few entries at Exeter on Friday.

The plan is for King Turgeon to try to defend his crown in the Grand Sefton chase over the National fences at Aintree on Saturday. He seems in terrific form at home and while he is racing from a mark twelve pounds higher than in this race last year, fresh is the best time to catch him and providing the ground does not get too testing I would hope he has a very good chance.

We have several entries at Ffos Las on Sunday so keep checking the Daily News on the website for the latest information on the stable runners.

Leanne, Jack and I were at Newmarket sales last week and while we did not buy any on the days we were up there, we had picked out two for later in the week and secured them via online bidding.

Way of Stars is a lovely three-year-old gelding by Sea the Moon from the Andrew Balding yard who has a rating of 87 on the flat. He was a winner at Goodwood this summer, and acts on any ground so is a nice dual-purpose prospect going forwards. We managed to buy him for 68,000 guineas and that in the current climate looks good value. He is for sale and if you would like more details please do get in touch.

Cynthia is the second new addition and she is a nice three-year-old filly by Sottsass. She is a lightly raced filly who has been placed second twice over staying trips on the flat. She has a BHA rating of 63 and is one who again can mix hurdling and flat runs going forwards. She is looking for a new owner and at 27,000 guineas, she appears to be good value. For more information, please do email [email protected]

Windbeneathmywings will not be making his hurdling debut until the New Year after meeting with a setback in training so plans are currently on hold, which is a shame. . .

David Pipe was talking to Richard Walsh