Smooth start for new stalls handlers

WOLVERHAMPTON’S new team of stalls handlers got off to a relatively trouble-free start last night, despite a boycott of the meeting by senior riders.

The jockeys decided to miss the meeting in protest at the decision by owners Arena Leisure to use their own team rather than the traditional RaceTech handlers.

Senior riders had expressed their concerns over safety issues with the new team and the long-term prospects for the RaceTech handlers.