Middleham trainer Micky Hammond shocked the racing world by announcing his retirement yesterday. Speaking from Southwell races, Hammond (38) said: "At the end of the National Hunt season, April 28th, I've decided to retire from training.
"I've been in racing as a stable lad, jockey and trainer for the last 20 years. I just felt that I'm ready for a change to be perfectly honest. I have no plans for the future whatsover.
"I'd like to stay involved in the racing game if I possibly can. I've done a little bit of work with the Racing Channel but I'm going to keep my options open."
Hammond, who enjoyed 231 successes as a National Hunt jockey and has trained 735 winners over jumps and 65 on the Flat, did not cite financial reasons alone for his surprise decision.
He said: "Obviously the finances are tight but we've been luckier than most over the last season or so and I couldn't actually put it totally down to finances."
Meanwhile, Ted Walsh has left his Martell Grand National fourth Papillon in the £125,000 Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown Park later this month. A total of 26 horses were withdrawn at the latest forfeit stage from the 45th running of the race, which is due to take place on April 28th - the last day of the jumps season.
Among those taken out were Walsh's duo Rince Ri and Commanche Court. But officials at the Esher track are hoping that Papillon will line up for the race, which is run over an extended three miles and five furlongs.
There is a £100,000 bonus up for grabs for any horse who finishes in the first four in the Grand National and goes on to win the Whitbread on April 28th.
Papillon was remounted to finish fourth at Aintree and due to the Government's foot-and-mouth restrictions cannot return home.
"Ted's main concern is the horse's well-being and he reports him in good spirits. If he got good or good to soft ground then he might run him. We are forecast a dry spell up to the Whitbread," said Sandown spokesman Brian Clifford.
See More Business, a disappointing fifth in last Thursday's Martell Cup at Aintree, still heads the Whitbread weights on 12st with Marlborough on 11st and last year's winner Beau on 10st 8lb.
Haydock's meeting on Saturday still hangs in the balance with a decision on the exact nature of the card expected today. The course hopes to stage a Flat fixture but the track is currently waterlogged and a switch to a jumps programme is being considered.
Officials at Kempton, where the sprint races for Saturday's meeting have already been scrapped, are optimistic the meeting will go ahead.
Clerk of the course, Brian Clifford, said: "We are heavy at present but the forecast is more upbeat and we should be soft, heavy in places by the weekend."
