SCHOLFIELD MOVES ON
NICK SCHOLFIELD has left Paul Nicholls to ride as a freelance.
The 28-year-old was second in line at the former champ’s yard for a number of years but has not been getting as many opportunities as he would have liked.
With Jeremy Scott, Emma Lavelle and Jack Barber backing him, Scholfield decided the time was right to start afresh.
“It was fantastic riding for Paul,” he said. “He put me up at Aintree, and Cheltenham, as well as in Ireland and France. I am grateful for his support over the years and wish him all the best.
“I am riding for a lot of different trainers now. It gives you a great insight into their regimes.”
Scholfield became the number two jockey for Nicholls four years ago.
His mounts over the past five seasons won £2.5million in win and ® place prize money, largely due to his former boss, who was not afraid to put him up in the big races. His Grade One winners for him were Irving in the 2014 Fighting Fifth Hurdle, Adrien Du Pont in the 2016 Adonis Hurdle and San Benedeto in the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree this April. But as is so often the case, when a jockey opts to moves on, the trainer is not too bothered. Nicholls explained why he will not miss Scholfield. “Once again we have a top team of jockeys headed by Sam (Twiston-Davies) with Sean Bowen and Harry Cobden sharing the number-two role now Nick has moved on to pastures new. “They are backed up by our conditionals – Bryony Frost, Stan Sheppard, Henry Morshead and Alexander Thorne, and a strong group of amateurs headed by Will Biddick. Lizzie Kelly is also riding out here regularly and will be getting chances.”
Yanworth made a winning start to his chasing career at Exeter – winning by a comfortable two lengths from Sternrubin.
His trainer Alan King said: “I am very happy with that as he really warmed to his task. We were taking on a race-fit rival so he has done well.
“We have the option of staying at a stiff two miles or moving him up to two and a half.”
Hills and Paddy Power both left his odds for the JLT Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham in March at 8-1.
On the Flat, James Doyle moved on to 100 winners for the year with his success on Dramatic Queen at Yarmouth. It took him 457 rides, whereas last year he ended on 98 from 541 mounts.
This year has been his best yet from a strike rate point of view, as 22 per cent have won.
Coincidentally that is the same percentage success that trainer John Berry has enjoyed. Sussex Girl’s win later on the same card was his 11th from the 50 he has sent out this year.