Racing: Economy forces Foster to hand in licence

HADDINGTON-based George Foster has decided to quit the training ranks after handing in his licence on Tuesday.

Foster, a salaried handler at the East Lothian yard for the past four years, had previously been assistant to Brian Meehan, John Gosden and Peter Chapple-Hyam. He said: “The decision was taken due to the current financial climate.

“We’ve had 31 winners in my spell here which isn’t too bad. It’s very disappointing and unfortunate as the horses have been running well but we’ve been struggling financially for quite some time. I’d love the opportunity to train again in the future.”

Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson is thankful Cheltenham’s big meeting today looks likely to beat the weather, as it enables him to get Sprinter Sacre back in action in the rearranged Victor Chandler Chase.

Henderson had National Hunt racing’s new superstar primed for Ascot last weekend, but the weather scuppered those plans and it looked like Festival Trials Day was heading in the same direction earlier in the week. A mammoth effort by the groundstaff, however, has given the meeting every chance and Henderson has been happy with Sprinter Sacre since his effortless win in the Tingle Creek Chase last month.

SELECTIONS

Cheltenham

12.10 Roc D’Apsis

12.40 Johns Spirit

1.15 Katenko

1.50 Sprinter Sacre

2.25 Grands Crus

3.00 The New One

3.35 Oscar Whisky (nap)

4.10 Sadler’s Risk

Lingfield

12.20 Charter

12.50 Harlestone Wood

1.25 Jack My Boy

2.00 Reginald Claude

2.35 Loyalty

3.10 Robin Hoods Bay

3.45 Lager Time

4.15 Bert The Alert

Wolverhampton

1.40 Sewn Up

2.15 Waking Warrior

2.50 Liberty Love

3.25 Anaconda

4.00 Lieutenant Dan

4.30 Phils Wish

5.00 Outlaw Torn

5.30 Subtle Difference

Saturday Yankee

Oscar Whisky

3:35 Cheltenham

The New One

3:00 Cheltenham

Katenko

1:15 Cheltenham

Grand Crus

2:25 Cheltenham

TOMORROW’S MEETINGS

Fontwell

1.15 Get Back In Line

1.50 Ambion Wood

2.25 Ctappers

3.00 Romney Marsh

3.30 Duneen Point

4.05 Malin Head

4.35 Guanciale

Wolverhampton

1.35 Morito Du Berlais

2.05 Mush Mir

2.40 Cock Of The Rock

3.15 Karazhan

3.50 Rano Pano

4.20 As I Am

4.50 Hinterland

Double

Whitby Jack

2:25 Fontwell

Ambion Wood

1:50 Fontwell