Sedgefield return for jockey Cook
DANNY COOK makes his comeback tonight after serving a six month ban for a failed drugs test.
He has three rides at Sedgefield – two for Malton trainer Brian Ellison and one for High Eldwick-based Sue Smith.
Both Ellison and Smith promised to stand by Cook after he tested positive for co- caine at a race meeting at Musselburgh following a night out with friends. At the time, his solicitor Rory Mac Neice said the former Cheltenham Festival-winning rider “made what he described as a catastrophic error of judgement”.
The meeting is also due to see long-term injury victim John Kington, based at Middleham, make his comeback.
Meanwhile, ante-post fa- vourite Storm The Stars heads the 12 contenders still entered in next month’s Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster following the latest confirmations. Trained by William Haggas, the Epsom Derby third won the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York last week. As expected, Irish Oaks heroine Covert Love has been scratched.
VICTORIA PENDLETON is now under starter’s orders to make her Flat racing debut at Ripon on Bank Holiday Monday after her riding licence was approved.
She will ride the Lawney Hill-trained Royal Etiquette in a contest for amateur rides just six months after taking up horse riding following her retirement from track cycling in 2012.
The two-time Olympic champion had to undergo rigorous tests at the British Racing School and harbours ambitions of competing over jumps in the prestigious Foxhunters’ Chase at next year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Even though Pendleton rode in a charity race at Newbury last month, Ripon’s race will be a totally different proposition.
“The experience has been life changing; I can’t imagine my life without it now,” said Pendleton who has also been tutored by top equine guru Yogi Breisner in her venture which is being sponsored by online bookmaker Betfair.
However Hill, who trains in the Cotswolds, cannot fault the courage being shown by the Queen of cycling. “She comes in four to six mornings a week and rides two or three lots,” the trainer told The Yorkshire Post.
“She never complains about anything you ask her to do. There are no tears or tantrums, just her beaming smile. A lot of things are challenging , but she has tremendous core strength and she has fantastic balance from her cycling days.”
Pendleton’s presence is likely to pull in the crowds according to Ripon’s managing director James Hutchinson who said: “Victoria is undertaking a very exciting challenge and it is tremendous that we can play a small part in the next step towards her ultimate goal. We look forward to welcoming her .”