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News last Updated at: 15:28 on 09/02/2012
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Trainer Gifford passes away
Grand National-winning trainer Josh Gifford has died of a heart attack. Gifford, who had only recently returned home from hospital after suffering from septicaemia, will forever be remembered for Aldaniti's stirring victory at Aintree in 1981 after his jockey Bob Champion recovered from cancer. Gifford's son, Nick, who took over from his father at his Findon yard in West Sussex, confirmed the sad news. "I'm afraid he passed away in the early hour...read more
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Champion leads Gifford tributes
Bob Champion has paid tribute to Josh Gifford who passed away after a heart attack on Thursday morning. Champion recovered from cancer to ride the Gifford-trained Aldaniti to victory in the 1981 Grand National and was indebted to the trainer for supporting him during his illness, as well as sticking by him when he returned to the saddle. Champion said: "He was a great jockey, a great trainer and a great man. He was so loyal to his jockeys." Forme...read more
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Watching brief for Newbury
Newbury are still hopeful that Saturday's 'Betfair Super Saturday' meeting can beat the weather. The course is perfectly raceable at present, but snow is forecast this evening with temperatures due to dip on Friday night. With the likes of Gold Cup winner Long Run, Arkle favourite Sprinter Sacre and Triumph hero Zarkandar all due to run, officials are desperate for the fixture to take place. "The only recent change in the forecast to that of whic...read more
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Harry going for Gold
Diamond Harry is on course for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup after recovering from a successful wind operation. The problem was dealt with last week after jockey Noel Fehily reported he felt the Nick Williams-trained nine-year-old had a breathing difficulty when fifth behind Midnight Chase in the ...read more
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Synchro sidesteps Gold run
Synchronised will miss Sunday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown after failing to satisfy connections in the run-up to the Grade One. The nine-year-old, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, joins the list of high-profile horses to miss the Irish showpiece, but the Lexus Chase winner remains on course for the ...read more
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Uttoxeter abandoned
Saturday's meeting at Uttoxeter has been abandoned due to frost and snow. Clerk of the course Charlie Moore inspected the track at 1.30pm on Thursday and opted to call off the meeting with little chance of the course being raceable. He said: "There's still snow on the ground and significant frost wh...read more
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Frost claims Warwick
Saturday's meeting at Warwick has become the latest victim of the cold snap with their fixture claimed by frost and snow. Clerk of the course Sulekha Varma was due to inspect at 2.30pm today but has made an earlier call as little improvement in conditions is expected. She said: "We just had a walk r...read more
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Nicholls dominates Betfair field
A field of 22 has been declared for the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday. Only Sailors Warn and Orzare were taken out at the 48-hour stage for one of the richest hurdle races in Europe. Paul Nicholls seems to hold all the aces with Triumph Hurdle winner Zarkandar making his seasonal reappearanc...read more
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Kempton opt for bumper card
Friday's jumps races at Kempton have been abandoned, with the venue now staging a bumper card on the all-weather track instead. Clerk of the course Barney Clifford had planned to inspect at 8am but after temperatures dropped below freezing again overnight, he was able to make an earlier call. He sai...read more
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Bangor abandoned
Friday's meeting at Bangor has been abandoned due to a frozen track. Clerk of the course Andrew Morris inspected the track at 8am and was forced to call off the meeting after another cold night. He said: "The temperature reached minus 4C overnight and it is still minus 2C now. "We're not forecast to...read more
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