Racing: Murphy takes time-out

Jump jockey Timmy Murphy, who is due to appear in court on Friday to answer charges relating to an incident on a flight from Japan, is taking time off from race-riding to sort out ‘‘a personal problem’’.

The Irishman, arrested by police on his arrival in Britain last Sunday, is not riding at Cheltenham on Wednesday, even though his trainer Paul Nicholls has runners.

And his agent Chris Broad said: ‘‘Timmy Murphy has a personal issue to address and therefore he is taking time off from riding to get the problem sorted out and he will be back shortly.’’

Murphy, 27, was in Japan to ride Nicholls’ Cenkos, who finished fifth in the very valuable Nakayama Grand Jump.

He is currently enjoying his best season, having ridden 98 winners to date in Britain this term.