THINGS remain relatively quiet on the runner’s front but Hammer Dan ran well at Newton Abbot on Friday evening. He was returning from nearly a year off the track, was looking for back-to-back wins in the race, and nearly did it by finishing second. He was keen enough during the race following his absence and will come on for the run so I hope he can go one better next time as he is lightly raced with more improvement to come.

Ocean Heights was a little disappointing at Windsor last Monday evening and he never looked happy after being slowly out of the stalls. He is normally electric and the writing was on the wall from an early stage. The ground was probably a little softer than ideal and nothing has come to light since so we will put it down to an off day! There is a race coming up for him at Newbury next week.

Old Bridge was our only other runner last week and he ran okay at Worcester but was unplaced. After an unpleasant experience when bolting to the start and during the race last time, the hood was reapplied and did the trick on this occasion and this will have done him good mentally.

Our first runner of this week will be Jaipaletemps at Worcester on Wednesday and Jack Tudor rides. He ran better at Ffos Las last time to be third following wind surgery and if he can build on this, he has a good chance. Things are quiet towards the weekend but keep checking the Daily News on the website for all the latest information on runners.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any runners at the Royal Ascot meeting this week but I shall be there on the opening day and Leanne and I are going on Saturday as well.

There is a high-class week of racing to look forward to and the Ascot Stakes is a race I look forward to on the first day. Willie Mullins trains the favourite, Reaching High for the King this year and Ryan Moore rides. He looks to have a very good chance of having a Royal winner at the Royal meeting.

The Ascot Stakes is a competitive big field flat handicap run over 2m4f on the first day of the Royal meeting. It is a race Pond House has done well in over the years but it has become increasing harder to find the good staying flat horses to get into the race, let alone win it!

I won the race in 2010 with Junior who was an absolute star for us and did the rare double winning at Royal Ascot and at the Cheltenham Festival. He joined the Pond House team as a seven year old after I bought him from Doncaster’s spring sales in May 2010 for £35,000. He won his first start for the yard – the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot the following month! He was a handsome individual and I am sure he knew how good he was!

Junior won nine races from 53 career starts under rules and he was placed a further 22 times. Rated 158 at best over fences and 95 on the flat he was high class under all codes winning just over £200,000 in prize money.

Dave Pipe’s column as told to Richard Walsh