Rugby league legend Rob Burrow back on course to fight motor neurone disease

Rob Burrow and his family will be at Doncaster on Tuesday for the debut of Beep Beep Burrow, the new fundraising horse who is reported "in really good shape" to start helping his campaign.

The former rugby league player has been living with motor neurone disease for three years and his efforts to raise awareness of the condition earned him the Helen Rollason award at last month's BBC Sports Personality of the Year, recognising outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.

His former Leeds Rhinos teammate Kevin Sinfield was also given a special award, acknowledging his epic fundraising on behalf of MND charities.

Fellow ex-Rhino Barrie McDermott also helped set up a racing club behind Burrow Seven, a six-year-old who generated more than £100,000 in membership money as he defied niggling setbacks to finish second in a bumper and third in a novice hurdle from four starts before a further injury forced him into retirement.

Now Beep Beep Burrow has taken his place. He is a six-year-old, who takes his name from the fact that Burrow was called Beep Beep at Leeds and who is trained, like Burrow Seven, by Jedd O'Keeffe in Middleham.

Beep Beep Burrow (Emma Smith-Chaston) in MiddlehamCredit: Louise Pollard

He takes on 16 rivals in a race (Doncaster 3.30) which has been retitled the Good Luck "Beep Beep Burrow" Open Maiden National Hunt Flat Race thanks to sponsors Sky Bet.

The trainer said: "He's in really good shape. His training has been great, his work is great. He's happy, healthy and fit. I think he'll put up a good show in his first race.

"We're not completely convinced that bumpers are his thing. We think that he's likely to excel when he goes over a longer trip and with some hurdles, but it's a great experience for him. He'll learn lots about racing."

Beep Beep Burrow with trainer Jedd O'KeeffeCredit: Louise Pollard

Although Burrow Seven has been retired from racing, he is set to become an equine welfare horse, visiting care homes, nursing homes and schools and being a brand ambassador for the Good Racing company, which organises the good causes racing club behind both horses.

Now read these:

Rugby league star brings fight against motor neurone disease to the racetrack

Rob Burrow racing club raises £50,000 in a month for motor neurone research

Rob Burrow namesake Burrow Seven forced to retire after 'unavoidable' injury

Racing Post Live is your ultimate racing watchalong every Saturday and during major festivals. Our experts offer uninterrupted tips, analysis and reactions to the ITV action. Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel here and never miss a minute