Flooded Bangor cancels Saturday card with track still waterlogged after Storm Bert

Bangor's meeting on Saturday has been cancelled as the track is waterlogged in places following Storm Bert and there is no prospect of it draining in time.

The Welsh course was left flooded after torrential rain meant the nearby River Dee burst its banks and officials have called off the fixture three days beforehand.

Racecourse manager Paddy Chesters said: "With the storm we had and the melting snow on top of it, the river got to just below its highest level of 16 metres. It's just not draining quick enough to get everything working – there's lots of standing water and time has beaten us.

"What it leaves behind will be the next problem to deal with, but we're confident we'll have everything back right for our next meeting. We're disappointed not to be racing this weekend, but we wanted to give everyone enough time for the opportunity to run elsewhere."

Special recognition award at Epsom Awards named in honour of late Howard Wright

The special recognition award at this month's ROA Epsom Awards has been named in honour of former Racing Post associate editor Howard Wright.

The Racehorse Owners Association-sponsored (ROA) ceremony, which is in aid of Racing Welfare, takes place on November 30 and will celebrate the achievements of Epsom's horses over both codes, as well as the town's trainers and stable staff over the last year.

Wright, who died aged 79 in August, was a long-serving judge for the awards. This year's panellists include the Racing Post's Lee Mottershead, Sandown and Epsom clerk of the course Andrew Cooper, ITV Racing broadcaster Rishi Persad and the ROA's Sarah Holton.

Racing Welfare chief executive Dawn Goodfellow said: "Racing Welfare plays a pivotal role in supporting Epsom’s racing staff and retirees, so it’s fitting that funds raised from the ROA Epsom Awards 2024 will go towards Racing Welfare’s work in the local community."

Gambling Commission chair Marcus Boyle to step down in January

Gambling Commission chair Marcus Boyle is to step down, the industry regulator has announced, with his term set to end on January 31.

During his time Boyle oversaw the ongoing implementation of the gambling review and subsequent white paper, as well as the awarding and launch of the fourth National Lottery licence. A complete new board of commissioners was also recruited during his time as chair, although it was criticised for not including anyone with experience of gambling.

Gambling minister Baroness Twycross, said: “The past three years have been very significant for the commission, as it takes forward measures set out in the Gambling Act review and the start of the fourth National Lottery licence. I am grateful for Marcus’s hard work and commitment to the Gambling Commission and public service over his tenure and wish him the best for his future endeavours."

Paul Renshaw funeral date

The life of long-serving jockeys’ valet Paul Renshaw will be remembered at a funeral next week following his death at the age of 63 this month. Renshaw died on the morning of November 19 on the day he was supposed to be working at Carlisle, where a minute’s silence was held in his honour.

His funeral will take place on Monday at 10.30am at Eden Valley Crematorium, Penrith CA10 2AN. Family flowers only but if desired donations will be divided between Pride Of Cumbria Air Ambulance and the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Steve Jobar funeral announced

The funeral of former jockey Steve Jobar will take place at St Swithun's Church, Wickham, near Newbury, on Monday, December 2, at 1pm.

Jobar, winner of the 1980 Triumph Hurdle aboard Heighlin, died this month after living with motor neurone disease for a long period of time.

No flowers are requested but donations to the Reading and West Berkshire branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association would be appreciated. These can be made here.

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