Racing: Police make 15th arrest in race-fixing inquiry

THE POLICE yesterday made their 15th arrest in the on-going inquiry into race-fixing and doping. A man in his mid-30s from Chesterfield was taken into custody. Of the other 14 arrested so far, nine are on bail to return to Charing Cross police station on 10 March. They include the jump jockey Graham Bradley, the Flat jockey Ray Cochrane and the former jump trainer Charlie Brooks, arrested last week.

The latest arrest coincides with a somewhat bizarre plea from the British Horseracing Board to the Crown Prosecution Service that the investigation be brought to a speedy conclusion. Tristram Ricketts, the BHB's chief executive, said yesterday: "The Jockey Club is the regulator of British racing, but its powers are limited. Whenever the Jockey Club uncovers evidence of criminal activity, it has a duty to present such evidence to the police. Since then, responsibility has lain with the police not the Jockey Club.

"The BHB is aware the length of the investigation has been a concern, and last week's arrests have fuelled anxiety about the impact on the image of racing. In the Board's view, such investigations should be independent and thorough, ensuring everything possible is done to safeguard British racing as a sport with integrity.

"However, while recognising such cases are complex and can be time-consuming, the Board shares the view it is in the interests of racing the investigation be brought to a conclusion as speedily as possible."

Princeful, winner of the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last March, has had his chasing debut put on hold. Jenny Pitman, his trainer, has not declared Princeful for his original target, today's Towton Novice Chase at Wetherby. Princeful, entered for the Gold Cup, also holds an engagement in a novice chase at Ascot on Saturday.

Michael O'Brien yesterday issued a tip for his Knife Edge in the Triumph Hurdle. The Irish trainer hopes the four-year-old, 20-1 with William Hill, can emulate Shawiya, who won the Triumph for him in 1993. He said: "Knife Edge is the best I've had since. He ran a good race when winning the Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas and I intend to run him at Punchestown later this month before Cheltenham. He's a tough horse who will like the final climb at the Festival."

The top-weight, Henrietta Knight's Edredon Bleu, has been virtually ruled out of Saturday's Victor Chandler Handicap Chase at Ascot because of testing ground. Noel Meade's Hill Society remains doubtful, but a gamble on Monnaie Forte has gathered pace. The James Adam-trained gelding is now 4-1 with Ladbrokes, having been 9-1 on Tuesday.

Ladbrokes: 11-4 Get Real, 4-1 Monnaie Forte, 9-2 Mandys Mantino, 6-1 Celibate, 8-1 Cumbrian Challenge, 10-1 Call Equiname, 12-1 Flying Instructor, Or Royal, 14-1 Manhattan Castle, 20-1 Lord Dorcet. 5-1 with a run Hill Society, 6-1 with a run Edredon Bleu.

Jamie Spencer, the teenager who won last year's Irish 1,000 Guineas on Tarascon, rode his first hurdles winner at Kempton yesterday on Magic Combination in the Royal Mail Conditional Jockeys Novice Handicap Hurdle.

Wetherby today is subject to a 7.30am inspection after yesterday's failed to determine whether the frost would come out of the ground in time. Musselburgh also inspect today at 3.30pm, but tomorrow's card should get the go-ahead.

FIRST SHOW

WINCANTON 3.45

Horse H L S T

Miss Pennyhill 7-2 4-1 7-2 4-1

Mr Jervis 7-2 4-1 7-2 7-2

The Cockertoo 4-1 4-1 4-1 9-2

Native Player 11-2 9-2 5-1 9-2

Millersford 8-1 7-1 6-1 7-1

Simple Arithmetic 7-1 8-1 8-1 8-1

Bozo 14-1 16-1 16-1 16-1

Dunnicks View 16-1 16-1 16-1 16-1

Melling 25-1 16-1 25-1 16-1

Nice Approach 33-1 25-1 33-1 25-1

Pleasureland 25-1 33-1 33-1 25-1

Relkoni 33-1 25-1 40-1 33-1

Red River 66-1 40-1 66-1 50-1

Jakes Justice 100-1 50-1 100-1 66-1

Each-way, a quarter the odds, places 1, 2, 3

H William Hill, L Ladbrokes, S Stanley, T Tote