10.30am Cook suspended after testing positive for cocaine
Tony Paley: Jockey Danny Cook has been banned from riding with immediate effect after the jockey tested positive for cocaine.
The 31-year-old, a former Cheltenham Festival-winner aboard Great Endeavour five years ago, would likely have been in action at Prestbury Park next month, but will now sit out the jump season’s highlight.
A disciplinary hearing has been scheduled for March 19 and the jockey will not be able to ride before then.
Cook’s agent, Bruce Jeffrey, said: “Danny would have preferred the hearing to have been earlier but that is when it is. I stand by him 100%. He has held his hands up and he is an honest lad. Since I’ve been dealing with him for the last seven or eight months he has been fully committed and a thorough professional.”
The British Horseracing Authority’s spokesman Robin Mounsey said: “Owing to an ongoing investigation Danny Cook has been suspended from riding with immediate effect, pending the conclusion of the investigation. It is BHA policy not to comment further on ongoing investigations.”
Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
Oh heavens but Easy Beesy (4.40) made hard work of it at Wincanton last time, requiring driving from the saddle for most of the race and only sticking his nose in front in the final stride, despite having been well backed. He’s been raised 10lb for that, which seems very harsh for a short-head success, but the third horse was 15 lengths back and it was hard to escape the impression that Easy Beesy was much the best at the weights, if only he could have got out of his own way.
An extra couple of furlongs around Newbury will give him more time to get his knitting together and I like him to follow up at 6-1. That was only his third start since joining Warren Greatrex from Charlie Egerton and the first two outings were unfortunate experiences over fences. This one has more to offer in handicap hurdles and the Greatrex yard seems to be working its way back into form.
The nap was going to be Nefyn Bay, seeking a four-timer in the Doncaster opener, but I think I shall sit that dance out if Norse Light reappears, unpenalised for a Ludlow win yesterday. Church Field (5.25) is an interesting 10-1 shot for Jonjo O’Neill under a 10lb claimer in the closer. He’s dropped back below his last winning mark, from the summer of 2013.
Tipping competition, day five
Our winners so far:
Monday
Flemi Two Toes 4-1
Bobs Lady Tamure 3-1
No Deal 2-1
Tuesday
Guards Chapel 6-1
Bearly Legal 5-1
Allez Cool 7-2
Wednesday
Murrayana 2-1
Achimota 4-1
Stellarta 11-2
Thursday
Global Power 13-2
Seaviper 8-1
It’s A Long Road 2-1
And our leader is …
kingklynch +12.50
… who had a perfect Thursday, firing him from an obscure position to the top of the tree, as his only previous winner was Flemi Two Toes. Other good scores: chris1623 +9, melonk +9, Lindsey6677 +8, Ormrod76 +6.50, erifder +5.
For today’s thrilling climax, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.35 Newbury, 4.20 Doncaster, 4.40 Newbury.
This week’s prize is a copy of the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide, by Paul Jones. The famous guide to winner-finding at those four days in March is now in its 16th year and more prized than ever. If you don’t win, you can buy a copy here.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -12.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day (TODAY).
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
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And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
