IT HAS been a good but slightly frustrating week on the racecourse with literally all of the horses running well but not as many winners as I would have liked! Itseemslikeit was a welcome if a pleasantly surprising winner at Uttoxeter on Tuesday.

He is a giant of a horse who has shown ability but is very lightly raced as he seems to pick up little knocks and bangs which have made him a little tricky to train.

Thankfully, everything aligned to get him on the track this time; the rain and ground came for him and he was very impressive in victory. He has come out of the race fine and as long as we keep him in one piece there is plenty more improvement to come.

So Turenne unfortunately fell at the last hurdle at Fontwell last Monday when having the race at his mercy. Thankfully, with some physio he has recovered well and there is no lasting damage. Similar comments apply to Phantomofthepoints who fell on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter.

It was a shame but again he is none the worse for the experience and I see no reason why he will not be back out over fences next time. Purple Owl ran well to be third in his novice hurdle and we will see what rating the handicapper gives him on Tuesday.

We had further third placings on Wednesday when Green Sky ran better following her wind operation at Hereford and filled that position. Later that day, Bashful Boy finished like a steam train on the flat at Kempton in a hot race to grab the each way money. This was more like it from our nine-year-old and there will be easier opportunities for him to return to winning ways on the all-weather in the coming weeks.

Navarau made a pleasing career debut to be third at Taunton on Thursday, running a little green throughout but staying on strongly at the end of the race. American Sniper ran his best race for a while to be second at Taunton over a trip a little short of his best. He can return to winning ways probably over a little further on some decent ground.

Kingston Queen and King Turgeon both ran well in their races at Cheltenham on Friday, finishing third and sixth respectively.

This week our first runners will be at Wincanton on Tuesday where Shot Boii, Harley’s Pride and Royal Mer make up our trio of runners. Shot Boii runs in the conditional jockey’s handicap chase and Rian Corcoran rides.

Harley’s Pride was disappointing on her hurdling debut at Hereford; she is better than that and I hope she can take a step forward from that this time. Royal Mer makes his seasonal reappearance in the 2m4f handicap chase. He would probably prefer softer ground than he might encounter here but it will be good to get him out and see what he can do.

On Wednesday the action turns to Ludlow and on Thursday we have entries at both Exeter and Ffos Las. On Friday, we have entries at Ascot and Uttoxeter.

Keep checking the Daily News on the website for all the latest news on the stable runners.

David Pipe was speaking to racing correspondent Richard Walsh