Traffic concerns raised as crucial deadline for Newmarket solar farm approaches

The Newmarket racing and breeding industries are being urged to register their views on the proposed Sunnica Energy Farm by next Thursday, March 17.

The scheme, which would cover an area of 2,800 acres, is already opposed by key players such as the Jockey Club, who would have solar panels right against its borders in the east of Newmarket, specifically key training grounds such as the Limekilns and Railwayland.

The entire site, if given the go-ahead, would cover an area the size of 2,115 football pitches and many have already raised issues with the route the construction lorries would take as they cross through the middle of studs such as Plantation Stud near Snailwell once owned by Lord Howard de Walden.

MP Matt Hancock is to lead a 'Say No To Sunnica' march from Mildenhall to Worlington

Nick Angus-Smith, chairman of the Newmarket Stud Farmers Association, said: "The construction lorries are scheduled for 32 lorry movements a day along what are little more than country lanes such as one that dissects Plantation Stud. It's totally ridiculous. Gigginstown Stud owner Michael O'Leary owns Plantation Stud now and I can't imagine he'll be happy about the number of lorries scheduled to go through the middle of his property. I would say that 95 per cent of our members are against it and have already lodged their complaints."

He added: "We accept that we need alternative power sources but to lose 2,800 acres of land is madness, especially as most of it is good agricultural land that will be vital going forward."

Those who want to register their views can do so here before March 17. Three days after the closing date, Newmarket MP Matt Hancock is to lead a 'Say No To Sunnica' march from Mildenhall to Worlington to show opposition to the plans.

Annual TG4 Cheltenham preview to be broadcast on Saturday

The annual TG4 Cheltenham preview will be broadcast on Saturday, March 12 at 9.35pm and features interviews with Rachael Blackmore, Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott.

The 30-minute magazine show is presented by Denis Kirwan and will also be repeated on TG4 on the eve of the Cheltenham Festival at 9pm.

TG4's head of sport Rónán O’Coisdealbha said: "The Cheltenham Festival is one of the great Anglo-Irish sporting rivalries and TG4 are once again delighted to provide racing fans with a preview of this iconic festival."

Funeral details of breeder, agent and racing manager Anthony Penfold announced

The funeral of breeder, agent and racing manager Anthony Penfold, who died last Friday at the age of 74, is to be held at All Saints Church, Kington Magna, Dorset on March 28 at 11.30am.

Penfold, former racing manager to Prince Fahd Salman, died at home at Bugley Stud in Dorset after a long battle against IPF.

No flowers please but donations are welcome and cash donations at the church will go to Marie Curie.

Penfold's son William is to run in the London Marathon in October in memory of his father for the The British Lung Foundation. Donations for this cause can be made here.

Sky Betting and Gaming hit with £1.17m fine by Gambling Commission

The online gambling business trading as Sky Betting and Gaming has been fined £1.17 million for social responsibility failings.

Bonne Terre Limited breached licence conditions last November when a Sky Vegas promotional offer of 'Bet £5 get 100 free spins' was distributed to 41,395 self-excluded customers and 249,159 customers who had unsubscribed from the operator's marketing emails.

Gambling Commission chief executive Andrew Rhodes said: "Self-excluded customers are likely to be suffering gambling harm and should absolutely not be sent direct marketing that could tempt them back into gambling.

"We would advise all operators to learn from Sky Betting and Gaming's costly errors and ensure their systems are robust enough to always prevent the self-excluded, and those who have clearly rejected marketing, from receiving promotional material."

Last week 888 was hit with a £9.4m fine by the Gambling Commission after an investigation revealed social responsibility and money laundering failings.

Paddy Power official betting partner for York's Dante meeting

Paddy Power have become the official betting partner to York's three-day Dante meeting beginning on May 11.

The bookmaker will sponsor a total of six races across the two days, including the £175,000 Paddy Power Yorkshire Cup, one of the races to benefit from an injection in prize-money.

Last year's Yorkshire Cup was a memorable running, with Stradivarius getting the better of Spanish Mission in a duel to the line to record his third win in the race.

York head of sponsorship James Brennan said: "Everyone at York is delighted to welcome the team from Paddy Power to the Dante festival and is excited to be working with a supportive partner who shares such a commitment to British racing."

Paddy Power said: "We're thrilled to have the opportunity to get stuck into the Dante festival this year, not just as official betting partners but, more importantly, as race sponsors. Any excuse that gets me to York is a good excuse, and now that we've raised the stakes we can't wait to see the impact that will have on the quality of the entries."

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