Alan Fleming felt Starluck was unsuited by the ground when a slightly disappointing third in the rearranged Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday.

Alan Fleming is planning to give Starluck a spin on the Flat before turning his attentions to the forthcoming jumps season.

A young Irish trainer has the chance to put his name on the map in no uncertain fashion today — but it won’t have been by conventional means. Alan Fleming spoke to Declan Colley

ALAN Fleming is understandably cautious as he prepares to saddle Starluck, his first Cheltenham Festival runner, in today’s JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Alan Fleming instigated a rapid change in fortunes for the Surrey yard he recently took over from Albert Ennis with a winner from his first runner at Huntingdon.

US private equity firm JC Flowers today insisted its £3.5bn (€2.22bn) proposal to take over British financial services firm Friends Provident was "attractive" as it stepped up its battle to gain the board's backing for the bid.

A sharp fall in annual profits will thrust life and pensions company Friends Provident back under the takeover spotlight this week.

British life insurer Friends Provident could be put up for sale after a wholesale review of the business, it was reported today.

Tests on animals at the farm at the centre of the latest foot and mouth scare have proved negative, and the temporary control zone set up around it has been lifted, it was announced today.

The farmer at the centre of the latest foot and mouth scare said today he is sure his livestock do not have the disease.

Hopes that the foot and mouth outbreak had been contained were dealt a blow today after a new suspected case of the virulent virus was discovered.

Friends Provident wrote a new chapter in its 175-year history today after unveiling an £8.6bn (€12.8bn) merger deal to create a “significant” new force in the British insurance industry.

A FATHER charged with the murder of his six-year-old son was found dead in an apparent suicide in his prison cell yesterday.

Life assurer Friends Provident today announced the loss of around 500 jobs following a decision to axe its direct sales operation.

Thousands of commuters have suffered severe delays after a major landslide blocked lines on a key railway line.