Horseracing: David Pipe on his weekend runners

WE HAVE been quite lucky to avoid the worst of the cold snap and despite there being no jump racing for a couple of days, the team were able to come in and work as normal.

It's a relatively quiet time of year for us as we have also vaccinated the entire string meaning that the majority have an easy time of things over the next week or so.

DELFACE will fly the flag for us at Uttoxeter (1.05pm) tomorrow, though.

He won nicely at the track on New Year's Eve and this looks a similar sort of race, albeit he is 8lbs higher now for that win so life will be a bit tougher.

Looking ahead to Sunday's action and I am yet to decide whether to run NEW AGE DAWNING or LITTLE RED LION in the maiden hurdle (3.00pm) at Fontwell.

The former battled on really well to win his bumper at Exeter, while the latter was a good second on his debut at Ffos Las.

I've been delighted with the way both have schooled at home and, whichever one runs, I am sure they will go well.

I'm also yet to make up my mind as to whether to run MRS MIGGINS at Fontwell (4.00pm) the same day or hold her back for Ludlow on Monday.

We'll look at both races and try to assess which of the two is weaker.

Finally, last weekend was pretty painful viewing as DAKLONDIKE got badly bumped in the air by Robinsfirth at the fifth fence in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock, giving Tom Scudamore no chance of staying in the saddle.

He was travelling well at the time and was showing all the signs of being on a going day.

He needs a trip and soft ground, so we could head back to Haydock for their Grand National Trial, or a race like the Eider Chase.