ALDERBROOK, the Champion Hurdler of 1995 and favourite to reclaim his crown this year, was retired yesterday because of increasing pain in his legs.

Trainer Kim Bailey and owner Ernie Pick reached the decision because training such a fragile horse on firm ground was proving too difficult and risked further damage.

As a result he will be retired to stud in Herefordshire with a record of four wins from six starts over hurdles and 11 victories on the Flat which include a Group Two triumph.

Announcing the decision, Bailey said yesterday: "Due to wear and tear on Alderbrook's joints and due to the continuing firm ground, training has become very difficult and the horse is showing elements of pain as a result of his past injuries.

"After consultation with the vets and his owner Ernie Pick, we have decided to retire the horse so that he can have a full stud career at Robin Knipe's Cobhall Court Stud in Herefordshire.

"As you know he had chips removed from his joints 18 months ago and the ground has been firm for such a long time. I just didn't feel we were doing him any good by putting him through such pain.

"He has always been known to prefer soft ground and it has been such a struggle that it seemed best to retire him while he was still able to have a stud career."

Coral have reacted to Alderbrook's retirement by shortening reigning Champion Collier Bay to 7 to 2 favourite from 5 to 1. They have also cut the David Nicholson trained Sanmartino to 10 to 1 fourth favourite.