Spoils shared in Merit race

CONNECTIONS of Royal Shakespeare and Monkerhostin will share the £200,000 top prize for the British Horseracing Board Order Of Merit after deciding against a Saturday showdown.

The pair were expected to clash in the betfred Celebration Chase, with Royal Shakespeare making his fencing bow in an attempt to hold on to his narrow lead in the overall standings.

Steve Gollings’ charge and Monkerhostin had already bagged £50,000 each for claiming the top hurdler and chaser awards respectively but the latter could have taken the title if he finished fifth or better at the weekend.