Aintree auction to boost mental health fund remembering teenage jockey

A painting of Tim Jones riding on the gallops at Middleham is to be auctioned in aid of the fund set up in memory of the amateur jockey who died at the age of 17 earlier this year.

The picture will be sold next April during a fundraising event at Aintree racecourse, which will also be the endpoint of a 150-mile sponsored bike ride from Cheltenham by a team of riders including Jones's father Simon.

Simon Jones said: "The response to our campaign, launched in memory of Tim has been overwhelming.

"With the money raised, we now start the job of delivering the training that will help us realise our initial ambition of a trained mental health first aider in each yard."

Sea Pigeon memorabilia makes £2,900

The Waterford Crystal trophy and medal presented to owner Pat Muldoon after Sea Pigeon's first Champion Hurdle win at Cheltenham in 1980 have been knocked down for £2,900 in an online auction.

The Glasgow-based McTear's auctioneers confirmed the piece of racing history drew plenty of interest before being bought by an anonymous bidder from the north-east of England.

Produced by the then race sponsors Waterford Crystal, the trophy was lot 1822 in an online sale of sporting memorabilia and had been given a guide price of £2,000 to £4,000.

Many felt Sea Pigeon's chances of winning a Champion Hurdle had gone by 1980 but Jonjo O'Neill conjured a winning run out of the son of Sea Bird from the back of the final flight to charge home and deny the hat-trick seeking Monksfield.

Simcock eyeing Hong Kong for Desert Encounter

Dual Canadian International winner Desert Encounter could bid to continue his good run of form in the Hong Kong Vase International Vase at Sha Tin in December.

The seven-year-old, owned by Abdulla Al Mansoori, took his prize-money tally past the million-pound mark when scoring a repeat victory in the Grade 1 showpiece over 1m4f at Woodbine ten days ago.

Asked about future plans, trainer David Simcock said: "He's not going to go to Bahrain or the Breeders' Cup but we might look at Hong Kong. He certainly comes good in the second half of the year."

National weightwatchers back on Mersey beat in 2020

The road to the Randox Health Grand National will begin and end in Liverpool again next year, Aintree has announced.

After the weights for the race were unveiled in the Cunard Building last season, the ceremony for 2020 will take place on February 11 at St George's Hall in the centre of the city.

Situated opposite Lime Street Station, St George's Hall has been a Liverpool landmark since it was built in 1854 and Ringo Starr played from its roof to over 50,000 people at the opening of European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008.

Chief interest in this year's event is likely to surround the weight given to Tiger Roll, who will be bidding to become the first three-time National winner since Red Rum.

Racing Post reporter Harding shortlisted for award

Racing Post reporter Jonathan Harding has been shortlisted for the NCTJ's Student Sports Journalist of the year award at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on November 28.

The 23-year-old, who represented the Racing Post on CNN before Enable's attempt at an unprecedented third Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, is among 57 students, trainees, apprentices, journalists and training providers to be recognised by their peers.

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