THINGS remain relatively quiet on the runner’s front and we just had the three runners last week. Jaipaletemps ran his best race so far since arriving from France to finish third at Ffos Las. It was his first run since a wind operation; it was a step in the right direction and I am sure he can build on this going forwards.

Micronormous failed to give her running at Worcester for no obvious reason and Mancero finished second in the first juvenile hurdle race of the season up at Hexham. He had been working well at home so I was a little disappointed with the result but it is a different style of racing from what he was used to in France and that was only the second run of his life. We know he is better than this and there is plenty more to come next time.

Ocean Heights ran at Windsor on Monday and he does have a further entry at Chester on Saturday but we will see how he gets on.

Later in the week, we have Old Bridge entered at Worcester on Thursday while he also has an entry at Uttoxeter at the weekend. Hammer Dan has been off the track since last summer but has entries on Friday and Saturday and could make his seasonal reappearance. Keep checking the Daily News section on the website for all the latest information on the stable runners and news.

Many of you may have heard the news last week but unfortunately, it was confirmed that conditional jockey Gearoid Harney has been forced to retire from the saddle on medical advice.

He has been out of action since having a nasty fall at Fakenham in January in which he suffered a head injury, and has been working hard on his recovery, closely monitored by the Injured Jockeys Fund throughout.

Sadly, he has been told that he will not be able to get his licence back and neither is he allowed to ride out for a licenced trainer, so is currently coming to terms with all this news and taking his time to assess all his options for the future.

Gearoid is just 23 years of age and has a great knowledge of point to pointing and form and we will continue to work with him and help him find his new pathway. He has been at Pond House just over two years and ridden ten winners for me. He is a very good horseman and work rider on the gallops and has a great sense of humour so will be greatly missed at the yard and we would like to wish him all the best for the future.

Rian Corcoran is heading off to France this week to do a valuable month’s work experience working for Louisa Carberry. Rian spent last summer at Ballydoyle and this will be a great stepping-stone on his journey to becoming a professional jockey.

My youngest daughter Martha took part in her first show of the year on Sunday and came back with two first places at Tiverton and the biggest winning smile! She took part in two lead rein showing jumping classes and won them both so I can look forward to more Sunday’s out driving the lorry over the summer months!

David Pipe’s column as told to Richard Walsh