WE have been quiet with runners the past week but two of our three ran well to be placed and therefore continue the good run of stable form.

Best Night probably ran as well as she ever has for us and finished second to a very well handicapped rival at Warwick. Back down to her last winning mark she can be found easier opportunities.

Karnaval Point backed up his win at Worcester with a very good effort to be a close third at Uttoxeter off a nine-pound higher mark. It was a competitive little race and while up in grade on this ground he probably wants a bit further in distance.

Captain Boudet made his stable debut at Worcester on Saturday and showed up well for a long way before weakening from the last fence. We will probably drop him back in distance next time as he appeared not to quite get home over three miles and off the right mark he can be winning races.

Our first runner of the week comes at Salisbury on the flat on Tuesday. Affection makes her stable and British debut in the 1m1f fillies handicap and Ryan Kavanagh rides. She is a four-time winner in France up to 1m4f and we claimed her after she won last time out at Salon De Provence. She will be going juvenile hurdling in the near future and has taken to jumping very well at home but we thought this looked a good opportunity to get a run into her. The ground is likely to be a little softer than ideal and her handicap mark looks quite tough but she shows a good attitude at home and goes nicely so it will be interesting to see how she gets on.

Our first jumping runners of the week will be at Worcester on Thursday. Grand Clermont will run in the 2m7f handicap chase with Rian Corcoran on board. He was very impressive in winning at Uttoxeter last time over this trip and he won’t mind whatever the ground conditions are.

Purple Owl is likely to run in the maiden hurdle on the card. He does have some good form in the book but he does have to bounce back from a couple of below par efforts. He seems in good form at home and the drop back to two miles should suit.

October Hill could run in the mare’s handicap hurdle over 2m4f. She won over this trip last time at Ffos Las, her first win over hurdles. It is amazing what a victory for a horse can do for their confidence and I would not be surprised to see her run well again off only a slightly higher handicap mark. She does have an entry at Market Rasen on Friday and so we will try to pick the best winning opportunity for her.

Later in the week we have entries at Market Rasen and Newton Abbot on Friday and at Uttoxeter on Saturday. Order of the Dance is likely to make his chasing debut on one of these meetings on his return from a winter break. Best Night, Ocean Heights and Final Entry are also amongst our entries so keep checking the Daily News on the website for all the latest news on the stable runners.

David Pipe was talking to Richard Walsh.