Sam Spinner and Unowhatimeanharry among 11 declared for Long Walk Hurdle

Sam Spinner and Unowhatimeanharry, the past two winners of the JLT Long Walk Hurdle, feature in a final field of 11 for Saturday's Grade 1 at Ascot.

Last year's winner Sam Spinner is on a retrieval mission having failed to win in three starts since his victory in the race 12 months ago.

JLT Hurdle racecard and betting

Unowhatimeanharry, the oldest contender in the line-up at the age of ten, heads to Ascot on the back of success in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and is the 4-1 second favourite with bet365 in a market headed by Call Me Lord.

The 5-2 favourite, one of three runners for champion trainer Nicky Henderson along with Soul Emotion and Top Notch, is set to make his first start since winning the Grade 2 Select Hurdle at Sandown in April.

Sam Spinner is one of three horses quoted at 7-1, the same price as two-time Grade 2 winner Agrapart and the progressive Paisley Park.

Owners' badge scheme extended to record number of fixtures

The 2019 racecourse badge scheme for owners is the most extensive yet, with more fixtures than ever before included.

Around 1,415 race meetings of 1,511 fixtures (94 per cent of the total fixture list) will offer free admission to qualifying members of the Racehorse Owners Association.

ROA chief executive Charlie Liverton with jockey Daryl JacobCredit: Patrick McCann

Charlie Liverton, ROA chief executive, said: “We're delighted the scheme will allow members access to even more days racing this year.

"This is an extremely popular benefit of membership and recognises the valuable contribution made by owners. We'd like to thank the Racecourse Association and all racecourses for their continued support of the scheme."

To be eligible to join the badge scheme, ROA members must be a fully registered owner with Weatherbys and own at least 50 per cent of a horse in full training – or the equivalent in shares. In the case of a horse owned by a syndicate or racing club, one or two syndicators or club managers receive the benefit.

Evening racing course coming to Dublin

An adult education evening course on horseracing, which will include lectures from Johnny Murtagh, John Oxx and a number of key industry stakeholders, will begin on February 11 at Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin.

The lectures will cover wide-ranging topics relating to the racing industry over a six-week period. The course costs €155 and bookings can be made at Eventbrite.

Osgood final meeting

Richard Osgood will bow out as clerk of the course at Newbury a week on Saturday and the racecourse which he has called home for most of his life will mark the occasion with the first race on the card being run as the Betway 'Farewell to Richard Osgood' Juvenile Hurdle.

Osgood has worked at Newbury since 1979 and is the third generation of his family to have been associated with the course, a run which dates back 99 years.

Having grown up at the track where his father Frank was estates manager and latterly clerk of the course until his own retirement in 1990, Osgood remembers the exploits of many of racing's greats, dating back to Arkle, who won the Hennessy in 1964 and again in 1965.

Selecting his own personal highlights, Osgood said: "I have got to say the way Denman won his second Hennessy was one of the best I've seen, but I was also lucky enough to see Frankel win here in the Lockinge, plus Hawk Wing in the same race and also watch Nashwan work.

"The Major [trainer Dick Hern] used to like to bring Nashwan down here for his final gallop before a big race. I just loved the way the horse moved with such a flowing action."

Keith Ottesen takes over the reins from January 1.

Baywing given Wetherby option

Baywing, last season's Eider Chase winner, may be aimed at Wetherby’s Rowland Meyrick Chase next Wednesday.

The Nicky Richards-trained stayer was among the original entries for the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown, but has not been confirmed for that race.

Richards said: "I put him in at Leopardstown just in case the race cut up and it came up heavy. I hope it’s wet enough for him at Wetherby. As everybody knows he wants very testing ground. He worked well this morning, and finished a close fifth in the Rowland Meyrick last year."

JLT become official partner for Jockey Club

JLT Specialty, which sponsors at the Cheltenham and Grand National festivals, has been unveiled as an official partner of the Jockey Club.

The company is the specialist insurance arm of Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group and will also be the official insurance broker for the Jockey Club's racecourse arm.

Jockey Club Racecourses chief executive Paul Fisher said of JLT: "They provide us with excellent specialist insurance and risk management support, and are a valued sponsor with us at Aintree and Cheltenham, so this is a great example of a mutually beneficial relationship going from strength to strength."

888 on course as US expansion continues

Online gaming and betting firm 888 said they were confident earnings for the year "will be in line with its expectations" in a pre-close trading update released on Wednesday.

The company, which launched 888sport in New Jersey in September, also completed the purchase of the All American Poker Network this month.

Chief executive Itai Frieberger said: "888 remains very excited by the significant long-term growth opportunities in the US market and, throughout the year, we have made significant operational progress in the region."

David Lowden to leave William Hill board

David Lowden is to step down from the board of William Hill in March after accepting the position of chairman of healthcare and communications group Huntsworth.

William Hill chairman Roger Devlin said: "David has been a valued member of the board and I am particularly grateful for his counsel and support since I took on the role of chairman."

Battleoverdoyen heading for Naas Grade 1 in January

Battleoverdoyen, an impressive winner of a maiden hurdle at Navan on Sunday for Gordon Elliott, is one of many potential stars being aimed at the Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle at the County Kildare venue on January 6.

Speaking at the launch of the race after racing at Naas on Tuesday, Elliott said: “The Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle comes at an ideal time of year and all being well that's where Battleoverdoyen will go next.

“We were delighted to get him started over hurdles at Navan last weekend. I felt he improved from his bumper and hopefully he can improve again from his maiden hurdle to Naas.”

Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle entries

Elliott added: “We've entered a good few for the race and we’ll see what happens over Christmas before making any definite plans as to what will run with Battleoverdoyen.

“There’s a good chance Defi Bleu could go there. He ran a nice race at Navan and is still learning all the time. Commander Of Fleet would also be a possible runner. I was happy with his run in the Royal Bond.”

Racecourse manager Tom Ryan said: “We are delighted with both the quantity and quality of the entries for the race.

“At a busy time of year in the National Hunt calendar it has been very encouraging to read comments from a lot of trainers planning on heading for the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle and we are counting down to our biggest fixture of the year.”

Buick withdraws Hong Kong ban appeal

The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s stewards have approved an application by William Buick to withdraw his appeal against his six-week penalty and fine of $20,000.

Buick had launched an appeal against the penalty of suspension from riding in races from December 17, 2018 to January 27, 2019 and the fine imposed by the racing stewards on December 9 for reckless riding, to which he had pleaded guilty.

The 30-year-old, who picked up the ban for his sixth placed finish on Pakistan Star in the Hong Kong Vase, was advised that the appeal deposit lodged by him would be returned.

Haydock Champion Hurdle trial to be renamed in honour of The New One

The Unibet-sponsored Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock on January 19 will be renamed The New One Unibet Hurdle after the top-class hurdler who retired at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The New One, who was unbeaten in five starts around Haydock, won the Grade 2 Champion Hurdle four times from 2015-18 and earned over £1 million in prize-money in an illustrious career for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.

The New One: retired on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Twiston-Davies, who confirmed the ten-year-old would take part in the parade, said: “The New One was unbeaten five times he ran at Haydock so we love the course and are hoping to find another one to take his place."

Ed Nicholson, head of Kindred (Unibet & 32Red) racing sponsorship and communications, said: "We are delighted to work with Haydock in renaming the race he won for the last four seasons as the The New One Unibet Hurdle."

William Hill hire head for US digital arm

William Hill's American arm has a new president of digital in the shape of Kenneth Fuchs, the former chief executive of sports data company STATS.

Fuchs was previously vice-president of Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Finance and Yahoo Entertainment and Music

"Our aim is to be the market leader in the US, with a presence in every state that legislates and the best retail and mobile experience on offer." said William Hill chief executive Philip Bowcock.

"There’s a huge amount to play for, so it’s pleasing we’re building the best possible team to go after it. Ken has deep digital expertise and will be a great asset as we build on the momentum we’ve generated in the US in recent months."

GVC extends Danish deal

GVC Holdings, the parent company of Ladbrokes Coral, has agreed a multi-year extension to its supply deal with Denmark's Danske Spil, one of the largest operators in Europe. GVC – and previously bwin.party, the business acquired by the group in 2016 – has supplied online gaming and poker content to Danske Spil since 2012.

New policy designed to protect racing employees

The BHA has announced its publication of a new Safeguarding Policy, Regulations and Code of Conduct for racing, which will come into effect from January 1, 2019.

The policy, which is designed to underpin the existing safeguarding policies already in place, will cover areas such as abuse, inappropriate relationships, reporting safeguarding concerns and safer recruitment practices.

BHA chief executive Nick Rust said: “For this sport to have the bright future we are all working together to achieve, we must attract the interest and participation of people of all ages. It is vital that those people who we do attract to the sport have a positive and fulfilling experience and are protected from all forms of abuse and harm.

"From next year, all trainers will need to act in accordance with the policy and will also be required to complete an online training and assessment module.

Towcester's January fixture moved to Fakenham

The BHA has announced Towcester's six-race card on January 31 has been moved to Fakenham.

The fate of Towcester, which went into administration in August, will not be known until the new year. Entry and declaration deadlines for the fixture will remain as previously.

Corbiere owner Burrough joins Newbury board

Bryan Burrough, who has owned racehorses for the last 40 years including 1983 Grand National winner Corbiere, has joined the board of Newbury racecourse as a non-executive director.

A senior investment director at Investec Wealth & Investment until 2017, Burrough had previously held senior positions at financial institutions BlackRock and Cazenove & Co.

Newbury chairman Dominic Burke said: "We are delighted to welcome Bryan to the board. His many years of experience within business and finance and his deep knowledge of corporate governance will strengthen and complement the existing skill set of the board."

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