Keeping it local - new backers for Yorkshire's annual awards

North Yorkshire-based Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors is to sponsor the awards for the leading jump trainer and jockey in Yorkshire.

Clair Douglas, head of the firm's agricultural and landed estates team, said: "We are well-known for our involvement, support and work with the Yorkshire racing community, in particular in the North Yorkshire area. Supporting Go Racing In Yorkshire is a natural fit for us."

McClarrons Sport, which provides specialist insurance, is backing the awards for leading Flat trainer and jockey in Yorkshire for 2020.

Director Garry Davies said: "At McClarrons Sport we have a long-standing passion and interest in horseracing. This, alongside our Yorkshire roots, make this a wonderful initiative for us."

The awards will be presented at Go Racing In Yorkshire’s annual lunch in December.

Supreme Soviet Pimpernel's target

Talented novice hurdler Soviet Pimpernel has been snapped up by Brian Acheson's Robcour ownership vehicle, but the promising five-year-old will remain in training with Peter Fahey ahead of a crack at the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

The former Direct Bloodstock Limited-owned performer, who last month landed the Grade 3 Irish Independent Hurdle at Limerick, had been as short as 8-1 for the Ladbrokes Hurdle at this weekend's Dublin Racing Festival, as well as having quotes of 14-1 for the Grade 1 Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle, but will now go straight to Cheltenham.

Fahey told the Racing Post: "We're delighted that he's been bought to stay in the yard and it's brilliant to have our first horse for Brian Acheson. After talking with Brian, we've decided that we're going to go straight to Cheltenham with him for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

"We had the option of running him in one of the handicaps, but having not run in handicap company before we've decided against that and will be heading straight to the Supreme."

Soviet Pimpernel, who has a potentially attractive mark of 138, is priced between 20-1 and 33-1 for the Sky Bet-sponsored Cheltenham Festival opener.

Fahey added: "He had a very hard race when running well in second at Cheltenham in October and ended up running a bit flat in the Royal Bond on his next start, but we were delighted with his win at Limerick over Christmas. We've always thought a lot of him and hopefully better ground will suit him too."

The colours of Soviet Pimpernel's new owner Robcour will be carried by Troytown Chase winner Chris's Dream who will be bidding to cement his Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup claims in Sunday's Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, for which he is a best-priced 6-1 with the sponsors.

Extel commentator Peter Dobson dies at 88

Peter Dobson, whose words were compulsive listening for punters throughout the country for many years, has died at the age of 88.

He was a long-serving racecourse commentator for Extel, calling the races for the bookmakers' blower service in the days before SIS provided pictures in betting offices.

He died in North Yorkshire last week. His wife Doreen pre-deceased him but he is survived by daughter Polly.

"He was my first tutor and was a lovely man," said current course commentator Martin Harris, who started out at Extel. "He was an absolute gent. He was a good commentator himself and had a fantastic voice, a cross between John Rickman and Sir Peter O'Sullevan."

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