WE HAVE just had a handful of runners in recent days and the best result was seeing King Turgeon bounce back to his best to finish second at Aintree is what was effectively the re-arranged Badger Ales chase.

King Turgeon is a very talented horse but unfortunately he has some wind issues which do affect his performance and following surgery this summer it was great to see it has had such a positive effect. I knew he was in good form at home going into the race but it is different altogether in race conditions.

Jack Tudor gave him a great ride; he was up near the front throughout and he jumped with his usual zest and enthusiasm. He went to the front at the third last fence with plenty still in contention but he galloped on powerfully and pulled clear with the eventual winner.

That rival always looked to be going slightly better unfortunately for us but another fine leap at the last gave us hope and he galloped all the way to the line, but the other horse was always just holding us.

Our eight-year-old loves Aintree and good ground and we will certainly look at both the Grand Sefton and Becher chases over the National fences next month which are now being held on the same day. He stays well but is not short of speed so a lot will depend on the weather and the ground nearer the time.

Jaipaletemps ran better than the bare result suggests to be third behind two progressive horses at Plumpton and with a little more help from the handicapper and some rain he can return to winning ways.

Navarau now qualifies for a handicap mark while Riptide ran with some promise on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter.

October Hill ran well enough to be fourth while Gold in the Rivers should improve on his seasonal reappearance next time.

It is a quiet start to the week on the racing front as we still await rain.

Ocean Heights runs in the conditional jockey’s handicap hurdle at Huntingdon on Tuesday over 2m4f with Rian Corcoran in the saddle. He won his first hurdle race at Newton Abbot a few weeks ago when stepped up in distance for the first time.

He gave Jack Pipe his first ride as an amateur at Bath most recently and was fourth and he will be running on the all-weather again with Jack at the end of the month so this race fits in nicely time wise to get him back out over hurdles.

We will then have to wait until Friday for our next runners which could be at Cheltenham. We have Bras D’or entered in the 2m5f novices hurdle and we will see what the ground is before deciding about running while the plan is to run Way of Stars in the concluding race of the day. He has a good level of flat ability and a great attitude and so I would be hopeful there is plenty more to come from our four-year-old.

On Saturday we have Karnaval Point entered in the amateur rider’s handicap chase and then some entries at Fontwell on Sunday.

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

Dave Pipe was talking to our racing correspondent Richard Walsh.