CURRENTLY I’m away enjoying a few days break with my family in Spain but before I left I was at Worcester to see Old Bridge and Kintaro be placed.

Old Bridge backed up his good run at Uttoxeter previously with a better second in the novices hurdle while Kintaro returned to form after some lesser efforts to be third in the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

Stable favourite Vieux Lion Rouge went off to his new home last week with Toby and Callie Coles. Julie Bellamy, who has looked after him for many years and owner Professor Caroline Tisdall, went down to see him settle in his new home and he seems very happy already.

Last week we sent four of our staff members on an industry-training course which was a valuable learning experience for them. and I’d like to thank the Jockey Club and Cheltenham racecourse for putting it on.

The aim of the course was to educate stable staff on evidence-based, practical strategies to reduce the risk of race-day injuries through smart preparation, optimal care routines and proactive horse management in the days and hours before a race. Our travelling and assistant staff thought it well run and it was an enjoyable learning experience.

Meet some more of our horses:

Lock Out (IRE) - Made a successful seasonal reappearance last term winning a race at Chepstow in emphatic style. Ran well to be placed a few times without winning after this and is very consistent in his grade and will give our racing club members some nice days out this season.

Mancero (FR) - He was the impressive winner of a claiming hurdle at Fontainebleau, his only start in France after which he joined us. Disappointing in finishing second on his British debut at Hexham but you can put a line through that as we found him to be not right after the race. He has had a little break since and works nicely at home so there is definitely better to come from him in juvenile hurdles this winter. Owned by Teddington Racing

Master McGarry (IRE) - A gorgeous big individual who is the winner of his only start in an Irish point to point in April at Quakerstown. We bought him at the Punchestown sales and he has summered well at Pond House. He goes nicely at home and is likely to start in a bumper before going novice hurdling this season.

Missy Mole (IRE) - She finished second in an Irish point to point and ran with promise on occasions last season over hurdles. She shows a likeable attitude and it will be disappointing if she cannot be winning from her current mark this season. Prefers better ground.

Morradi (FR) - A new recruit from France who we claimed after finishing second at Deauville on his latest start over 1m1f. He has two wins in Sweden to his name and also ran in Norway! He has shown a decent level of form in France over varying distances and is by a sire that does well over jumps. Settled in nicely since arriving and has taken to jumping like a duck to water, we have also gelded him. A lovely dual-purpose prospect who seems to act on all ground but he might not want it too soft.

David Pipe’s column as told to Richard Walsh