Paul Nicholls branded the decision of officials at Taunton to omit all bar the two flights in the home straight as "ludicrous" after his Tara Point jumped just four hurdles on her way to winning the feature event of the day at the Somerset circuit.

Trainer Brendan Powell and former top jump jockey Graham Bradley have been found not to be in breach of the rules following a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel hearing last week over charges that Bradley was training horses under Powell’s name.

Brian Toomey still faces several obstacles if he is to beat the odds and make a fairytale return to the saddle.

Pre-race talk at Lingfield yesterday had all concerned the development of another eyecatching all-weather gamble but it was rendered insignificant after the shocking fall suffered by Martin Harley.

Ruby Walsh has clarified his views after reports he claimed horses were expendable following the death of Our Conor at Cheltenham yesterday.

Trainer Willie Mullins will be taking the same security precautions as always as he sends his strongest ever team over to the Cheltenham Festival next week.

The British Horseracing Authority has decided to hold an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding a shoulder injury sustained by Timmy Murphy at Newbury on Friday.

Sheikh Mohammed is facing fresh embarrassment following the seizure of 124 medical products, none of which have been approved for use on horses in Britain, at part of his Dalham Hall Stud operation in Newmarket.

The British Horseracing Authority will seek legal advice before considering whether to take any further action against Mahmood Al Zarooni after the disgraced trainer withdrew his appeal against an eight-year disqualification.

Frankie Dettori is hoping to get clearance early next week from the French authorities to return to race-riding after his six-month worldwide ban.

Richard Hughes and Joseph O’Brien, reigning champion Flat jockeys in England and Ireland respectively, have been granted jumps licences to ride in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

Ruby Walsh has appealed against the five-day ban he incurred for using his whip with excessive frequency when winning on Edgardo Sol at Aintree on Saturday.

THE British Horseracing Authority yesterday said they were “committed to ongoing and constructive dialogue” with the Professional Jockeys Association as the threat of strike action continues to cast a shadow over racing.