Evergreen Ron Hodges shrugs aside pension and is all smiles after Daytime punt

Veteran trainer Ron Hodges has been considering imminent retirement for the last couple of years but promised himself one more summer with a licence after Daytime Ahead landed a gamble in the 2m5½f handicap hurdle.

Hodges, 78, said: “I keep on saying I am going to quit but my wife Mandy is adamant I shouldn’t as I don’t play golf and I don’t do gardening, so what would I do if I couldn't potter about with the horses?

“We actually have some nice horses for the flat this summer – they aren't going to be world-beaters or anything like that – but they will win races in their grade and I will keep training and see how they go.”