Racing: Paternal pride provoked by Pipe four-timer

DAVID PIPE, the father of the champion trainer, Martin, had one question to pose after his son sent out four winners from four runners at Exeter yesterday, writes Rodney Masters.

'Where are the doubters now?' he said, referring to those who had hinted that the winning touch had deserted the Nicholashayne team after a quiet first half of the season.

Richard Dunwoody, Pipe's stable-jockey, missed the winning spree as he was at Cheltenham for the yard's Gay Ruffian, a faller. But Pipe snr dismissed reports that the champion would split with the stable: 'If Richard wants to be with us this time next year, then that is what will happen. We are more than happy with him. He's a great jockey.'

Tomorrow's turf meeting at Lingfield, which stages an all- weather card today, is in doubt. There will be an inspection there at noon and one at 4pm at Sedgefield, also due to stage racing tomorrow, where there is frost in the ground.