ONE of Martin Pipe's defecting owners yesterday sprang to the defence of the beleaguered champion jumps trainer. Pipe has been left reeling after Independent Twine Manufacturing Company joined the influential Darren Mercer and George Bisgrove in removing horses from the powerful yard.

But Independent Twine director Keith Maguire insisted: "There's no particular problem with the Pipe stable. We have not parted on acrimonious terms."

There have been rumblings that all is not well at the Somerset yard since Manchester stockbroker Mercer withdrew his 10 horses last month. Shortly afterwards the yard was rocked by jockey David Bridgewater's shock announcement that he was quitting his job with Pipe.

But Maguire, whose company has had horses with Pipe for 10 years said: "I was surprised that David Bridgewater left but I don't think you can read too much into all this. The ebb and flow of owners happens all the time.

"As far as I am concerned there isn't a problem at the stable. We haven't fallen out with Martin we simply want to be a lot more involved with our horses."

The Wrexham-based company, whose Strands Of Gold won the 1988 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup when trained by Pipe have sent Feels Like Gold to Gordon Richards and Bound For Gold to Henrietta Knight.

Bisgrove said: "I have not parted from Martin on bad terms, though I don't think I will be going back." Mercer is abroad on holiday and was unavailable for comment yesterday.