New initiative gets thumbs-up from Haydock jockeys

Danny Tudhope, Paul Mulrennan, Jamie Spencer and Dougie Costello were among 12 riders at Haydock on Saturday to take part in the first raceday cardiac screening of jockeys.

In conjunction with Liverpool John Moores University, the BHA announced in April the launch of the Jockeys' Cardiac Study, researching the impact rapid weight reduction through dehydration can have on cardiac function in active jockeys.

The study aims not only to determine the effects making weight through dehydration can have on electrical and muscular aspects of jockeys' cardiac function, but will also provide screening data on their cardiac health on non-racedays.