David Pipe’s column as told to Richard Walsh

THE continuing dry weather has meant we have not had that many runners in the last week. The ones we have ran have all run well but not yielded a winner.

Ocean Heights ran with more promise at Southwell on the all-weather last week and was only beaten two lengths into fifth. The ground was even a little too quick at Chepstow for Lock Out who ran okay without ever getting properly involved.

It was a girl’s trip to Scotland for Belfrina and Walkadina as they headed for finals of races they had qualified for.

Belfrina ran a good race on her handicap debut to be a close second carrying top weight.

There is a four-year-old fillies juvenile handicap hurdle at Cheltenham next month and that will now be her aim.

Walkadina, was a little too keen in the early stages of her race at Kelso on Saturday. She was always doing a little too much in the early stages and this told at the end of the race with those who raced prominently, fading towards the finish.

Gold in the Rivers put in a better performance at Newbury to be fourth, which was a step back in the right direction while Pachacuti found the ground too lively for him.

Neon Moon finished fourth at Newbury on Saturday while Micornormous was second at Exeter on Sunday.

Our first runners this week are likely to be at Southwell on Thursday where we know there have been good reports about their ground from their last meeting.

Harley’s Pride could make her stable debut in the mare’s bumper. Missy Mole also holds and entry there in the novices handicap hurdle and if she gets in, is a likely runner.

On Friday, we just have two entries, American Sniper at Wetherby and Royal Mer at Fontwell. American Sniper’s race is a qualifier for a final at Punchestown next month.

Royal Mer is entered in the Fontwell Chase series final and there is some great prize money on offer.

It looks the perfect race for him, having run well and finished a close second at the track last time but we would really like some rain, as he definitely prefers a softer surface.

At the weekend, we have entries at Stratford, Uttoxeter and Ascot but keeping checking the Daily News section of the website for all the latest news on the sable runners.

Well done to amateur Rian Corcoran who had three winners over the weekend.

He had one at Milborne St Andrew on Saturday and then had another double on Sunday. He is now on eleven winners for the season and heads the national novice rider title race.

The 17-year-old from South Devon is undoubtedly one of the most promising young riders on the point-to-point circuit and a leading contender for the novice jockeys title this season.

Gearoid Harney continues to recover well from the bad fall he had Fakenham but he will not be back riding in the immediate future.

He is spending a lot of time up at Oaksey House where he continues to get physio and work on his fitness.

While frustrating for him, you cannot take risks, especially with a head injury.

Don’t miss next week’s column.