Ride-of-the-year winner Colm McCormack announces retirement after success

Jockey Colm McCormack announced his retirement from race-riding after partnering his 25th domestic winner on Wye Aye at Newcastle.

McCormack had his first ride in Ireland in May 2007 and has ridden 61 winners throughout his career, with other successes coming in France and Italy.

In 2016, he was awarded Jump ride of the year for his sensational win on Fiddler's Flight at Sedgefield, when in rear, almost unseating and being forced out of his irons before rallying late to win.

His final winner came in good style, with the Philip Kirby-trained favourite travelling strongly and sustaining his advantage all the way to the line.

"I'm hanging up my boots after that one," McCormack said. "I'm finishing on a winner and it couldn't be better. It's a great job; there's a great group of lads in the weighing room and great craic every time you go racing. I've enjoyed every minute of it."

Diligent delight

A confident Kieren Buckley ensured a 736-mile round-trip from Devon would be a winning one for Diligent, as he fired off the Nigel Hawke-trained runner in front and sustained the advantage for an easy win.

Diligent was following up a win at Plumpton on Sunday, by a combined distance of 60 lengths. He could look to complete a hat-trick at Fontwell on Friday.

Results, replays and analysis

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