Bookmaker Betway extend Aintree partnership for a further five years

Betway have agreed a new five-year sponsorship deal with Aintree to remain official betting partner for the Grand National festival.

The bookmaker first signed up with Aintree in 2017 and sponsors a number of races at the meeting, including the Betway Bowl and Betway Aintree Hurdle.

Anthony Werkman, Betway CEO, said: "The Randox Health Grand National Festival is a fantastic event and we couldn’t be happier with how the last two years have gone. The racing over the three days is of the highest quality and we’re delighted to be continuing our involvement for a further five years."

Sue Bradburne funeral details

The funeral of former trainer Sue Bradburne, who died last week, will be held at 12.45pm on Wednesday, April 10 at Monimail Church, Cupar, Fife, KY15 7RJ.

Bradburne, who trained 1999 Grand National runner-up Blue Charm, died at the age of 70 after a long battle with illness.

Extra Flat races for low-grade runners

Four additional Flat races have been scheduled this month by the BHA in response to the high number of horses rated 50 and below who have been eliminated for class 6 races.

The races, which have been framed following feedback from trainers, take place at Chelmsford (April 11, 18 and 25) and Nottingham (April 20). Further information is available on the BHA website.

Mini Sensation: former Welsh Grand National winnerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Welsh National hero Mini Sensation dies at age of 26

Mini Sensation, who won the Welsh National for JP McManus and Jonjo O’Neill in 2002, has died at McManus’s Martinstown Stud in County Limerick at the age of 26.

A son of Be My Native, Mini Sensation won six times over fences and was ridden by Tony Dobbin when achieving his most important success at Chepstow.

He began his career with Arthur Moore and was twice successful over hurdles before joining O’Neill in 2000.

Global Applause (right): two Listed successesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Global Applause put down after gallops injury

Global Applause, twice a winner at Listed level, has died after sustaining an injury during training on Wednesday. The five-year-old sprinter started his career with Ed Dunlop before moving to Robert Cowell last year.

Tim Hide, racing manager for owner Johnny Hon, wrote on Twitter: "Devastated to have to share the sad news that Global Applause suffered a freak and catastrophic injury doing a routine swinging gallop this morning. He got the boss hooked on horseracing.

"We had high hopes for this season, the Palace House had been earmarked as his comeback and then we hoped to head to the King's Stand. RIP big lad, we'll miss you a lot."

Paddy Power product "will not be launched"

Paddy Power have said the roulette-style game which was withdrawn this week following a warning from the Gambling Commission was only available in a limited number of betting shops and will not be launched more widely.

The bookmaker and fellow high street firm Betfred face the possibility of further action from the regulator due to new products introduced following the start of the new £2 maximum stake regime on FOBTs.

Paddy Power said in a statement: "This game was introduced as part of a short trial in a selection of shops. The trial was ceased within 24 hours of commencement and this product will not be launched across our estate."

Betfred have also withdrawn the offending product in their shops, a virtual cycling game, following discussions with the commission.

Join Tony McCoy and Bob Champion on the golf course

Racing legends Sir Anthony McCoy and Bob Champion are to take each other on in a golf tournament to raise money for the Injured Jockeys Fund and Bob Champion Cancer Trust.

The ‘Charity Golf Classic’ will take place at the Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club in Almeria, Andalucia, Spain on September 17-20 and players are invited to join them in a two-day Ryder Cup Style event. The vice-captains will be John Francome and Carl Llewellyn, and there will be individual prizes as well as the team prize.

Desert Springs provides a variety of accommodation options, and non-golfers are also welcome.

McCoy said: “I love playing golf, and with Francome on my team we’ll try to put up a strong challenge, It should be good fun and it’s for a brilliant cause raising money for our charities.”

For details, see https://www.bobchampion.org.uk/charitygolf2019/

Whisky Baron retired

South African star Whisky Baron has been retired and is to spend the rest of his days as a hack at the Kieswetter family’s Barnane Stud in Templemore, County Tipperary.

The Australian-bred Manhattan Rain gelding won his last five South African starts, most notably the 2017 Sun Met, in the colours of former England T20 cricketer Craig Kieswetter and his younger brother Ross, but he failed to score in six subsequent races in Britain, the UAE and France.

His South African trainer Brett Crawford retained charge for his first three outings and he was then transferred to William Haggas. His best run came in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood last August when, despite starting at 20-1, he ran Beat The Bank to half a length. He was again second in a handicap at Doncaster before disappointing in the Prix Dollar on Arc day at Longchamp.

Ross Kieswetter said: "He is like a third son to my father Wayne so he is not going anywhere other than Barnane, where he will be used as a riding horse."

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