Today’s racing
There’s plenty of racing today with Catterick and Chepstow staging jumps fixtures and all-weather action at Lingfield, Newcastle, and Dundalk in Ireland.
Newmarket handler Amy Murphy sends two runners to Chepstow and will be hoping for a family double as novice hurdler Mercian Knight and bumper debutant Carole’s Templer are out of Carole’s Legacy, a dual Listed winner for her father, Paul Murphy, who has retained both geldings.
Godolphin’s Al Maysan, a son of Dubawi successful on debut at Chelmsford, bids to make it two from two in the mile novice contest at Newcastle. He carries a penalty and could have most to fear from Queen Of Camelot, a daughter of Camelot who debuts for the Jedd O’Keeffe stable carrying the silks of her breeders, Geoff and Sandra Turnbull.
Queen Of Camelot is a half-sister to the ill-fated smart stayer Lord Yeats and her dam, Bogside Theatre, scored on debut at Newcastle – albeit on turf – at 100-1.
Wilmott to leave UK Tote Group
The UK Tote Group’s Chairman, Eamonn Wilmott, has left the organisation.
Along with Chief Executive Alex Frost, Wilmott was a key part in the Together For The Tote initiative, which merged with Britbet before taking over the pool-betting operation from Betfred.
Frost paid tribute to Wilmott and said: “His counsel, advice and support has been invaluable, and we would not be where we are without his considerable input.”
Wilmott said: “The last few years have been both incredibly challenging and rewarding.
“Having completed the full acquisition of the Tote from Betfred in October 2019, and with a world-class team in place to drive the business forward, I feel that now is the right time for me to step down from my role as Chairman.”
First strikes for Ferguson and Owens
Trainer James Ferguson was celebrating on Thursday afternoon when Arabian King became his first winner when taking the 1m4f handicap at Southwell under Luke Morris.
Later in the day at Chelmsford, fellow Newmarket handler Patrick Owens also recorded his first success when the Finley Marsh-ridden Venusta dead-heated with Agent Of Fortune and Rhys Clutterbuck in the apprentice handicap.
