Danny Cook receives Cheltenham Festival boost by winning charity boxing match

While some jockeys may take the chance to wrap themselves in cotton wool prior to the biggest meeting in the jump racing calendar, Danny Cook instead chose to put himself firmly in the firing line when taking part in a charity boxing match as part of his preparation for the Cheltenham Festival.

Cook was one of a number of familiar faces taking part in the William Hill Racing Staff Boxing Night at York racecourse on Saturday, in support of Racing Welfare, which pitted competitors from training centres Malton and Middleham against each other.

Paul Mulrennan (blue) was another to take part and recorded a victory against Ryan TimbyCredit: Racing Welfare

Nicknamed ‘Cookie Crumble’, Cook defeated Matt Brown, a work rider for Brian Ellison, in a three-round bout. There were also victories for Clifford Lee over fellow rider Shane Gray and for Robbie Fitzpatrick over apprentice Aiden Smithies.

The power couple of the evening, which totalled 12 contests, proved to be Paul and Adele Mulrennan, who were both successful in their fights against Ryan Timby and Maiti Stirling respectively.

Dawn Goodfellow, Racing Welfare chief executive, said: “Tonight has just been the most fantastic occasion. The atmosphere was absolutely electric and it's incredible to see so many people turn out in support of their friends and colleagues.

“I would like to thank everyone who came along in support of tonight’s event, not forgetting of course our 22 boxing superstars whose efforts have made this evening such a roaring success.”

Clifford Lee (red) defeated fellow jockey Shane Gray at the eventCredit: Racing Welfare

The contests were the result of eight weeks of intensive training of the participants at Ultra White Collar Boxing, which also provided two of the boxers. The fighters can be sponsored by typing the name of each boxer into justgiving.com.

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