Exeter to stage early inspection before New Year's Day card

Exeter will hold an inspection at 8.30am before its seven-race card on New Year's Day following a sustained period of torrential rainfall.

There was a yellow weather warning for rain on Saturday and almost 18mm fell before 3pm, when the ground was described as heavy. The forecast is dry overnight followed by 3mm early on Sunday morning.

Between last Sunday and Friday, a total of 31.7mm fell at the track, where as many as 83 runners are set to line up across seven races.

The pick of the day's action comes from Cheltenham, where the going was good to soft on Saturday. It stages the Grade 2 Dipper Novices' Chase and Relkeel Hurdle, sponsored by the Dornan Group, as well as the feature Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase.

Seven races will be shown on ITV, with four races from Cheltenham supported by the Fitzdares-sponsored Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle and 'Auld Reekie' Handicap Chase at Musselburgh, and the Savills New Year's Day Chase at Tramore, won last year by Al Boum Photo.

The remaining action on an action-packed New Year's Day comes from Fairyhouse, Fakenham, Catterick and on the all-weather at Southwell.

Greatwood founder Helen Yeadon among New Year's Honours recipients

Helen Yeadon, the co-founder and chief executive of equine charity Greatwood, has been made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year's Honours list for services to disadvantaged young people and to former racehorses.

Helen Yeadon: founder of Greatwood charityCredit: Edward Whitaker

Yeadon founded the Greatwood charity, which is based near Marlborough in Wiltshire, in 1998 and uses ex-racehorses to assist children and young adults with cognitive, physical, emotional and social challenges. It also assists in the rehoming of former racehorses, with those recently finding a new home through the charity including 2015 World Hurdle winner Cole Harden.

Charlie and Elizabeth Ritchie, co-founders of the charity Gambling with Lives, have also been made MBEs for services to charity and to the families bereaved by gambling-related suicides.

Gillian Wilmot, the former chair of the Senet Group, an independent regulatory body responsible for the promotion of responsible gambling, has also been made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to business, entrepreneurship and to the prevention of problem gambling.

Scottish racing in mourning after death of stalwart Willie Young at 84

Willie Young, a successful Scottish owner and permit-holder, died on Boxing Day morning at the age of 84.

He owned horses for more than 50 years, notably Ardera Cross who was bought for just £1,000 in 2019 and won 11 races - trained by his son William Jnr, who took over the permit at Crossford in South Lanarkshire a decade ago.

Young farmed nearly 1,000 acres and ran a butchery business, farm shop and coffee shop. He was also co-founder of the Overton point-to-point course.

His son said: "He lived a very full life, he lived to a fair age and he died in his sleep – what a way to go."

Ardera Cross won for Young at Ayr in FebruaryCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Long-serving TBA adviser Owen Tebbs dies at the age of 90

The Newmarket lawyer Owen Tebbs, a widely-respected voice in the racing and breeding industries, has died. He was 90.

Tebbs worked initially for the Ruston and Lloyd practice in Newmarket before setting up on his own in nearby Bottisham.

Throughout his long career he frequently lent his expertise in tax law to the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, which awarded him the annual Dominion Bronze, given for outstanding contribution and long-term commitment from someone who has worked in the industry.

Tebbs was also a member of the government's horse and pony taxation committee and the BHA Taxation Group in the early 2000s. He also worked on the syndication of Shergar for the Aga Khan and was quoted in the media following the 1981 Derby winner's kidnapping and failed ransom.

Funeral details are available from Fuller-Southgate funeral directors in Newmarket on 01638 662480.

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