IT WAS another good Saturday for the team with a double at Wincanton - thanks to Eton Mes and Royal Mer. It was also a first professional double for our young conditional jockey Rian Corcoran who is riding well and full of confidence at the moment.

Eton Mes followed up his handicap debut win at Uttoxeter with a nice performance to win the opening contest at Wincanton. He won this race off a rating of 105 and he is likely to run again at Ffos Las on Friday as he escapes a penalty for this win as it was a conditional jockeys race.

Royal Mer brought up the Wincanton double and it was a poignant success for a few reasons. Royal Mer was claimed by former owner Sam Sutton from France and he won five times in his colours for us in Britain but his last success was nearly two years ago.

Sam, sadly, passed away last October following a short illness at a young age. I bought Royal Mer off his family and he now carries the colours of Somerset Racing who have a long and successful relationship here at Pond House.

The Somerset Racing colours were formally worn by the horse Itacare who was successful over hurdles with us. When he seemed not to be enjoying his racing under rules, he was given to the Corcoran family to go point to pointing. He went on to give Rian his first winner in that sphere and won a total of four races carrying the Somerset Racing silks for Rian that season and really got him going.

There was a heart-warming run from Gericault Roque on Saturday as well to finish second in the big handicap chase at Ascot. He is likely to have a few entries at Cheltenham next month and all being well he will go there.

Jurancon was disappointing at Ascot but did not scope right after the race so at least we have a reason for that and Thanksforthehelp ran okay to be fifth up at Haydock.

Way of Stars ran a nice race to be second on just his second start over hurdles at Taunton last Thursday, confirming the promise of his initial start at Exeter. He basically had the race won before being caught on the line by a fast finisher who came over the top.

Our first runners this week will be at Southwell on Wednesday. Givehimthehonour runs in the three-mile handicap chase with Jack Tudor on board.

With Sandown’s card on Thursday being abandoned we have to wait until Friday for our next runners.

Eton Mes is likely to bid for a follow up success from Wincanton at Ffos Las while Gold in the Rivers, who won at Market Rasen last time, is also a likely starter in the three-mile handicap hurdle. A little closer to home, Itseemslikeit could run in the novice’s handicap chase at Exeter on Friday. He disappointed at Newbury last time but Jack Tudor looked after him that day and he seems in good form at home and will love conditions.

We have a few entries on Saturday while on Sunday, Phantomofthepoints has an entry in the National Spirit hurdle at Fontwell.

The horses are in good form at present with six winners from our last 20 runners at a 30% strike rate.

Dave Pipe was talking to Richard Walsh.