It will be hard work at Leicester today where Jonjo O’Neill’s Hedley Lamarr faces an easier task than on his reappearance at Cheltenham in the Advent Handicap Hurdle.

Stand Guard joined La Estrella on a mark just one short of the British all-weather-winning record when the pair’s much anticipated clash at Southwell was called off at the 11th hour.

CHAMPION jockey-elect, Pat Smullen, was suspended for ten racing days at Listowel yesterday, following an incident in the opening Ladbrokes Handicap.

Pat Smullen was hit with a 10-day ban following the opening race at Listowel and will be out of action on days when there is Flat racing in Ireland.

FRAN BERRY drew level with Michael Kinane at the top of the jockeys’ championship when taking his total for the campaign to 28 aboard Spirit Of Age in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Handicap at Tralee last night.