Aspell is riding into the sunset
LEIGHTON ASPELL toasted “a good second innings” after calling time on a career that saw two Grand National victories, arrest, his own fan club — and a previous retirement.
The 43-year-old Dubliner, arrested in 1998 as part of a bungled police race-fixing probe — he was completely exonerated — quit in the summer of 2007.
Less than two years later he was back in the weighing room, driving Pineau De Re to Aintree victory in 2014 and following up on boss Oliver Sherwood’s popular but ill-fated Many Clouds 12 months on.
His exploits triggered the formation of the Leighton Aspell Fan Club, but the jockey, who will bow out with two rides at Fontwell today, said: “I’ve had a good second innings but the time has come to move on.
“It’s been on my mind for a while. I’m going to take some time out, then get my head down and try to work something out.
“I’m a very lucky man and to do it as long as I could and still to get the opportunity to ride good horses at my age.”
Solo leapt to the front of the Triumph Hurdle market — he is as short as 3-1 favourite — with an impressive British debut in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton.
Paul Nicholls, having watched the former Guillaume Macaire trainee career away under Harry Cobden to win by 15 lengths, said: “He thrives on every bit of work you give him — the Triumph will suit him nicely.”
Jonjo O’neill jnr teamed up with Colin Tizzard for another big Saturday winner as 9-1 shot Mister Malarky fended off 5-1 market leader Black Corton and Bryony Frost to lift the Betway Handicap Chase.
SEAN BOWEN is set to miss the Cheltenham Festival after a suspected broken collarbone in a fall from Just A Sting at Kempton.