BHA warns participants about 'fairly complex' payment scam

The BHA has warned participants about an alleged scam involving individuals purporting to be representatives for a wealthy owner.

The individuals have shown a "good knowledge of racing" and asked participants to download payment software to transfer large sums.

A BHA social media post read: "The BHA has been made aware of an alleged scam whereby individuals purporting to be representatives for a wealthy owner have approached racing participants with the offer of investing considerable sums in bloodstock for them to train.

"The suspected fraud appears fairly complex with participants being asked to download payment software on to their devices and asked to transfer significant funds as payment for 'security software' on the promise it will be returned in the near future. Those responsible have demonstrated a good knowledge of racing and in particular the yard's runners and form."

The BHA has urged participants to report any suspicious activity to the police and report any incidents to the BHA's integrity team.

Prize-money maintained for rescheduled Plumpton feature

Plumpton Racecourse has rescheduled the £50,000 Betting.Bet Sussex Champion Chase for Sunday May 8 after the race was declared void on Monday, April 18.

The Gary Moore-trained Golden Boy Grey suffered a fatal injury approaching the third fence in Plumpton’s Easter Monday feature and as the other runners could not safely pass him on the following circuit, the yellow and orange stop-race flags were deployed.

The jockeys – led by Tom Cannon aboard Annual Invictus – swiftly pulled up their mounts before the seventh fence.

The remaining four runners pull up as the Betting.Bet Sussex Champion Chase is voided following the fatal fall of Golden Boy GreyCredit: Steve Davies / Plumpton Racecourse

"While it was in such sad circumstances that we had to void the Sussex Champion Chase on Easter Monday, with the race now seemingly getting its place established within the racing calendar, we are delighted to be able to reschedule the contest at our final fixture of the 2021-22 season on May 8," said Plumpton racecourse chief executive Dan Thompson.

"Despite it being a few weeks later in the year, having spoken to a few trainers about the contest as well as the BHA, as well as receiving the continued support of the sponsor Betting.Bet, it was felt the race could work well in this slot so we've kept the prize money at £50,000 and hope it produces a cracker of a renewal."

The Sussex Champion Chase was first run in 2019 when Mercian Prince triumphed for Amy Murphy and Jack Quinlan. The 2020 event did not take place due to the pandemic but the race returned in 2021, when it was won by the Nicky Henderson-trained Pistol Whipped.

Funeral date for Desmond Stoneham

Desmond Stoneham, the legendary French correspondent for the Racing Post, Sporting Life and Irish Field, will be laid to rest at St Mildred's Church in Tenterden, Kent, on May 5.

The service to celebrate the life of Stoneham, who died aged 79 on April 10, will start at 11.30am. Anyone wanting more information can contact TW Fuggle & Son on 01580 763340.

There will also be a livestream for those who cannot attend but want to remember the man who was the eyes and ears of French racing for British and Irish fans for more than 40 years.

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday