THE new National Hunt season has got off to a good start for trainer David Pipe, who has already notched a number of winners from the 75 or so horses he has in training at his Nicholashayne yard.

WWN racing correspondent Richard Walsh and Alain Lockyer, the newspaper’s photographer, were able to visit there where they watched some of the horses being put through their paces on the gallops.

Pipe, who took over the reins from his father Martin in 2006, said: “We are well ahead of where we were last season, which is always good, and now things have really started to get going. We have had a good summer and all of our horses are fit and healthy, so we will try and keep it that way,”

Following the dry summer Pipe said 100mm of rain fell in September, making it one of the wettest on record. Since when plenty more has fallen, which means that Taunton’s opening meeting today (Wednesday, October 30) looks certain to go ahead.

After watching the horses tack up in the yard, Pipe drove the newspapermen to the gallops where they watched one of the string of horses on their daily exercise over the five-furlong track.

Richard said: “When we first arrived it was rather murky and overcast with rain in the air, but thankfully that lifted and we were able to see the horses make their way up to the crest of the hill.

“Having grown up at the yard Pipe has had plenty of time to get used to the way of life associated with being a racehorse trainer, which entails a 6am start every day!

“As we watched the horses working their way up past us Pipe talked about some of those we were looking at – all from memory and without any notes, which given the number of horses on the yard was pretty impressive.

“Eden du Houx won a bumper last year and went on to win a listed bumper at Ascot,” said Pipe. “He has been schooling nicely at home and hopefully he will be going over hurdles this season.

“Queen’s Cave, who was coming back after being pulled up at Ayr in January came second last week at Chepstow. Two seasons ago she was second in a listed bumper and she can only get better. Vieux Lion Rouge was great to win the Veterans’ Chase at Chepstow recently. He travelled well and battled on well, and he will probably go to the Beecher now just before Christmas. He might go to France first for a hurdle race but we haven’t decided yet.

“Eamon An Cnoic will be entered in the Bet Victor at Cheltenham in November and we will also probably be running Remastered, who was a bit disappointing last time out.

“Umbrigado may well go to Cheltenham as well or Haydock a week later, we have quite decided yet.”

Richard added: “We then return to the yard where the horses are all hosed down and cleaned up by their riders. One rider, Julie Bellamy, who was on Vieux Lion Rouge up on the gallops and led him out at Chepstow, tells me she has been working at the Pond House Stable for 32 years – and today is her birthday!”

Pipe, who has been in charge at the yard for over 13 years, said: “It’s a great way of life but it’s tough. I feel nowadays that trainers are a bit like Premiership football managers – but you don’t just have one boss, you have lots of them. You are only as good as the horses you have, so it’s all about buying the right ones.”