Sean Quinlan to ride Lady Buttons with Dowson choosing Top Ville Ben in Cotswold

Trainer Philip Kirby has confirmed Sean Quinlan will ride brilliant mare Lady Buttons for the first time at Doncaster on Saturday, with stable jockey Tommy Dowson at Cheltenham to partner Top Ville Ben in the Cotswold Chase.

Dowson, top of Kirby's pecking order with Adam Nicol out injured, had a potential headache with the two best horses at the yard set for different Saturday fixtures.

However, speaking at Wetherby on Thursday, Kirby said Dowson will ride last month's eight-length Rowland Meyrick winner at Cheltenham.

Lady Buttons is a general 6-4 chance for the Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle at Doncaster, while Top Ville Ben is a top-priced 7-1 for the Cheltenham Grade 2.

Sean Quinlan will ride Lady Buttons (pictured) for the first time at DoncasterCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Kirby said: "I was trying to give Tommy [Dowson] the best chance of riding them both, but I've decided we have to do the right thing by the horses. Tommy will ride Top Ville Ben and Sean Quinlan will ride Lady Buttons.

"When you've got a 6-1 chance in a Gold Cup trial, like we have with Top Ville Ben, you've got to go for it. There might be a small field and he's in good order."

Andrew Lynch optimistic but return 'still a bit up in the air' after long layoff

Multiple Grade 1-winning jockey Andrew Lynch remains optimistic about a return to the saddle but faces an uncertain few months as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury suffered at last year's Dublin Racing Festival.

The Meath rider, who recorded 15 successes aboard the top-class Sizing Europe between 2009 and 2014, has not taken any rides since damaging nerves in a fall from Castlegrace Paddy at the first fence in the 2019 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase.

Lynch, 35, said: "They seemed a bit happier with it the other day at my most recent check-up but it's going to be a few months before I'd be looking at getting back and it's still a bit up in the air as to whether I'll be able to.

Andrew Lynch: steering Sizing Europe (right) to victory in the 2011 Queen Mother Champion ChaseCredit: Mark Cranham

"There's nerve damage in my shoulder and it's a matter of letting it heal, it takes plenty of time."

The Cheltenham Festival-winning rider added: "There was a bit more light at the end of the tunnel the last time I was assessed but I'll have to see what they say when I go back in a couple of months.

"It's frustrating but I'm trying to keep busy at home, we have a few breeze-up horses."

Lynch had a seasonal tally of 22 winners before his injury almost a year ago and recorded 39 victories on home soil the previous season.

Hamilton groundsman makes Haydock move

Hamilton is losing another big name, with head groundsman Stephen Fyles joining the exodus to the north-west of England. Last month it was announced clerk of the course Sulekha Varma was leaving the Glasgow track to succeed Andrew Tulloch at the helm at Aintree.

Fyles is moving to sister track Haydock, where long-serving groundsman Maurice Crooks retires this year.

"It is quite a coincidence that this has happened at a similar time," said Haydock clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright. "Maurice is retiring at the end of the jumps season. Stephen worked at Aintree and was assistant at Epsom before becoming head groundsman at Hamilton. In a way he is coming home as his father is assistant head groundsman here.

"He has long been on our radar and we're delighted he is joining us at the end of March – he will do a month with Maurice before he retires."

First woman in charge of Grand National after Sulekha Varma named Aintree clerk

Crooks, 65, has been at Haydock for 49 years, 25 as head groundsman. He said: "I started off as a fence builder in 1971. I progressed to trackwork, became assistant in 1980 and took over in 1995. Stephen trained with me as a young man before going to Aintree – he's come full circle."

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