Popular Martin Pipe chaser Cyfor Malta dies at the age of 31

Cyfor Malta, the popular chaser who racked up four consecutive wins at Cheltenham and Aintree in the 1998-1999 season, has died at the age of 31.

The Martin Pipe-trained gelding was a high-profile recruit from France for owner David Johnson in 1997 and finished second in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown on his second start in Britain. He was successful in the Cathcart Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival that season.

His best win was in the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham in 1999 when he beat Go Ballistic and See More Business, who battled out the finish to the Gold Cup two months later – a race Cyfor Malta missed due to injury.

He gained another big handicap chase success when landing the Thomas Pink Gold Cup Chase at Cheltenham in 2002.

Pipe’s son David said: “He was an amazing horse that we unfortunately probably did not get to see the very best off because of his injuries but you wouldn’t find many more talented ones. He leaves us all some very special memories.”

Jockey Club to offer free Stayers' Hurdle entry to eligible winners of Grade 1 hurdle in the US

A link-up between Iroquois Steeplechase and the Jockey Club will see the winner of a Grade 1 US hurdle offered free entry for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle the following year.

Snap Decision, a three-time winner of the Calvin Houghland Iroquois, including this year’s running in May, has been invited to participate in this season’s Stayers’ Hurdle.

The Calvin Houghland Iroquois winner will need a rating of 130-plus to qualify for the Cheltenham Festival event, with a travel incentive also on offer from the Jockey Club to support participation.

Dwight Hall, chairman of Iroquois Steeplechase, said: “We couldn’t be more grateful to our friends and partners at the Jockey Club for this generous and meaningful opportunity.

“The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of jump racing, and to have Snap Decision, following his historic third victory in the Calvin Houghland Iroquois, and our 2025 winner invited to race at this storied event highlights the calibre of horses competing. This partnership underscores the strength of the relationship between our two prestigious events.”

Connections of Alphonse Le Grande given date for appeal against Cesarewitch ruling

Connections of Alphonse Le Grande will aim to overturn the result of this month's Cesarewitch after their runner was disqualified due to whip infractions.

Jockey Jamie Powell was handed a 28-day ban and his mount was demoted from first after the rider was found to have used his whip four times above the permitted level in the closing stages of the historic handicap at Newmarket.

After a meeting of the BHA review committee on October 15, victory was instead awarded to Manxman, but the Bet Small Win Big Syndicate and Powell will appeal against the ruling in front of an independent disciplinary panel on November 14.

Death of popular racing figure Paula Roberts aged 61

Newmarket is mourning the loss of the much-respected racing figure Paula Roberts, who has died aged 61.

Roberts is remembered for her time with Sir Michael Stoute when she looked after champions Pilsduski and Fantastic Light.

Pilsudski won the Breeders' Cup Turf in Canada in 1996 before landing the remarkable haul of the Eclipse Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes, Champion Stakes (then at Newmarket) and the Japan Cup.

Pilsudski after winning the Irish Champion Stakes with Lord Weinstock and Paula RobertsCredit: CAROLINE NORRIS

Roberts also enjoyed an association with Fantastic Light, who won the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad Al Sheba before becoming a champion for Godolphin.

Last year, Roberts was given the honour of switching on Newmarket's Christmas lights in recognition of her ongoing fight against cancer. She was a passionate and influential head of the Newmarket Allotment Association and made gardening accessible to all members of her local community.

Roberts lost her long battle with cancer at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge last weekend.

Racing Post's Lee Mottershead shortlisted for Specialist Journalism Award

The Racing Post's Lee Mottershead has been shortlisted for an award at the British Journalism Awards 2024.

He is one of eight journalists nominated for the Specialist Journalism Award following his investigative piece of a racehorse owner fronting an illegal bookmaker with more than 1,000 customers.

This year's British Journalism Awards attracted 750 entries encompassing every major news organisation in the UK.

The winners will be announced on December 12 at a dinner in London hosted by Radio 2 presenter and journalist Jeremy Vine.

Chairman of judges and Press Gazette editor-in-chief Dominic Ponsford said: "Without journalism, Boris Johnson would still be prime minister, wronged postmasters would not have a voice and victims of the infected blood scandal would not have a chance of compensation.

"The 2024 British Journalism Awards shortlists celebrate the stories which would not be told without journalists willing to shine a light on uncomfortable truths and publications brave enough to back them up."

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