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The PJA caused controversy in December 2021 by attempting to say that Bryony Frost had only ‘felt’ bullied by Robbie Dunne (pictured), who was banned for 10 months. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Wetherby 2.30 The betting implies a stroll for Ahoy Senor but Saint Palais has progressed with every start over fences, put up a new career-best last time and has a better chance than odds of 3-1 might suggest. Leopardstown 1.35 Five are unbeaten in Ireland’s only Grade One juvenile hurdle before Cheltenham, while Vauban, a half-length second to Pied Piper on debut, will tie the form to the current Triumph favourite. Ben Siegel, an easy winner in a strong time in November, is overlooked in the market at around 16-1 but has significant scope for improvement and an excellent each-way alternative to the market leaders. Morgan added his name to a roll of honour that includes Harry Cobden, Sam Twiston-Davies and Brian Hughes when he secured the conditionals’ title in the spring, but told the Racing Post last week that his body paid the price. Elliott has clearly been pointing Pied Piper towards Saturday’s race from a long way out. The same is true, however, of many of the 34 runners and there is little to choose between the market leader and several of his leading rivals on form, with Jesse Evans (2.40) possibly the best each-way option at around 12-1.

York 3.05 Maidens are not the most compelling events for betting purposes but Colorada Dancer does at least have some experience on his side. It is right that those discussions are allowed to take place away from the glare of publicity, but we will look to provide an update as soon as possible in light of the existing timelines for the ‘soft launch’ of revised rules on 9 January 2023.” Frodon (3.15) was a long way below his best in the King George but Bryony Frost’s mount was taken on for the lead there and should have an easier time in front on Saturday. This also looks like his major target for the second half of the season, and he is a decent bet at around 3-1 to extend Nicholls’s current win streak in Ireland to four. Newmarket 2.00 Three months on from City Of Troy’s emphatic win in the Superlative Stakes, it remains the most impressive performance by a European juvenile this season and he should seal his status as the champion two-year-old here.This is a very serious injury and at this early time, it is not possible to predict the extent of long-term recovery.” Whether he is a genuine 4-5 chance for Saturday’s race is a different question, however, as Protektorat (3.00) came up with the performance of his career to date under very similar conditions last year. He had a very tough act to follow, however, as his predecessor, Paul Struthers, had been a shrewd and effective chief executive during a decade in the role. He also had plenty of experience of the cut-and-thrust – and occasional low blows – of racing politics from his time as head of PR for the British Horseracing Authority.

The statement continued: “He remains in ITU with respiratory support at the Royal Victoria infirmary hospital in Newcastle, but it has been possible to reduce his sedation. Chester 2.05: Seantrabh is well drawn in three and has been dropped 1lb since a promising handicap debut, with useful apprentice Zak Wheatley taking off another 5lb. York 1.15 Esquire could offer some value at around 7-1 having posted a useful time for a debutant when winning with plenty in hand at Hamilton last month. Still in situ, for the moment at least, is the chief executive, Ian McMahon, whose CV when he joined in March 2022 included roles in football, rugby and golf, but no prior experience in racing. Amid the fallout from long-running inquiry which eventually saw Robbie Dunne banned for 18 months – which was reduced to 10 months on appeal – for bullying his fellow rider, Bryony Frost, and the PJA’s horribly ill-judged response to the decision, it was seen by some as a positive that McMahon arrived with a clean slate in racing terms.The BHA’s intervention suggests that it has listened to the riders’ concerns and will seek to amend the rules, while also maintaining its stance that it has tightened the overall regime to a point where it can remain for the foreseeable future. Sandown 1.15 All eight runners go to post with a chance but Rikoboy looks overpriced at around 6-1 after a promising return from a 10-month break last month. Ascot 1.30: Shishkin was beaten first time up last season but has several pounds in hand of this Grade Two field and should make a winning return. Wincanton 1.50 Knappers Hill promises to be a leading novice chaser this season and should get off the mark over the bigger obstacles here.

Sandown 2.20 L’Homme Presse has made rapid progress from his successful chasing debut off 122 in December and can complete his rise through the ranks with a Grade One victory here. Aintree 2.45 The first race of the season over the Grand National fences, and Fantastic Lady, the runner-up in the Topham over the same course in April, has an obvious chance after just a 4lb rise in the weights. The rate at which the royal breeding operation declines, though, will be the best guide as to how much of her legacy in the sport will endure, and for how long. Mixed Showcase for CheltenhamChester 2.40: The impeccably-bred Savethelastdance was much improved on her return to action at Leopardstown and will be tough to beat as Aidan O’Brien goes for a fifth Cheshire Oaks success in eight years But there is no longer any such thing as a low-profile card at Cheltenham, this side of the Festival at least, and Saturday’s meeting at the home of jumping attracted a new record attendance for the day of 19,471.

Hadrianus, a 5-1 shot, is not entered in the Derby but his recent second behind Epictetus, the runner-up in last season’s Vertem Futurity at Doncaster, in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom does not give him much to find with the favourite. He should also have a slight edge in fitness and a small field means Franny Norton, who is peerless aboard front-runners on the Roodee, should be able to get his favoured pitch on the rail despite being drawn widest of the five runners. Newmarket 3.15 Possibly less to choose between Gasper De Lemos and Arabian Crown, the favourite, than the betting might suggest so Aidan O’Brien’s colt gets the nod at around 7-2. Newmarket 3.50 Fast-improving Real Gain may be able to take the step up to Group Three company in his stride. Ylang Ylang gives O’Brien another milestoneThat said, the Queen had 37 individual runners in Britain in 2022 before her death last month, and more than a third are due to be sold this week. That is a sizeable chunk in anyone’s book, and the extent, if any, to which those horses are replaced will be a guide as to the rate at which the royal racing operation is being scaled down. Newbury 1.30 A 455-day absence has to be a slight concern about Sense Of Duty but William Haggas’s filly has looked highly talented in her limited career to date and will be tough to beat if anywhere close to her best.