Johnny Weatherby becomes Ascot Chairman.

Current chirman of Weatherbys, Johnny Weatherby, is to become the new chairman of Ascot Authority Holdings Ltd. He is to take over from the Duke of Devonshire, who, due to other commitments, has decided to move into a trustee capacity.

The new chairman has been closely associated with Ascot Racecourse for eleven years, and became a director of the present company in 2001.

The Duke of Devonshire, who is to maintain his role as the Queen’s representative at Ascot, sees the change as a natural progression, and he expects the move will ensure on-going growth at Ascot.  

Cuis Ghaire returns to action at the Curragh.

Having recently lost her unbeaten tag to the Ballydoyle trained Rip Van Winkle, the 1,000 Guineas favourite Cuis Ghaire is to return to action in this weekend's Group 2 Ballygallon Debutante Stakes, one of the major races at the Curragh meeting on Sunday.

Tattersalls Committee removed from the rules of racing.

In a recent review of racing rules and policies, the BHA has decided the introduction of the Gambling Act in September 2007 has nullified its involvement in betting disputes and non-payment of gambling debts, as this is now covered by British law. As a result, the BHA has decided to withdraw its annual financial committment to the Tattersalls Committee, the body which previously dealt with these matters.

However, the Tattersalls Committee will still remain in existance, and will arbitrate on disputes between on course bookmakers and racecourse punters. In addition, individuals barred from racecourse attendance under the old regulations will remain barred until they can prove they have discharged their debts in full.

Story of the Spider who kept on trying.

After three flops in bumper company, and then being pulled up in a novice hurdle at Cartmel, it was understandable why punters gave Spider's Star a wide berth at Catterick this afternoon.

However, like the spider who kept on trying, in the two mile seller she suprised everyone by snatching a totally unexpected victory.

Her on course odds of eighty to one were dwarfed by the amazing 179 to 1 on Betfair. Furthermore, Tony Calvin of Betfair reminded us, the last horse to fail in a novice hurdle at Cartmel, and then to go on and win on the flat was Les Arc in 2004. As most of us will remember, the same horse later went on to win Group One contests. So watch out for the Spider who keeps on trying!