The BHA have opted to relax the current whip rules by replacing automatic suspension with stewards’ common sense.

The new whip rules are to undergo a fundamental change, as they have been a thorn in the side of both jockeys and the British Horseracing Authority since their introduction last October. Read more

Arthur Moore’s Organisedconfusion is a fascinating contender for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 14 having put up a tremendous display at Fairyhouse last term to win the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National on his first outing beyond two-miles-five-furlongs, writes Elliot Slater. Read more

Speaking at the John Smith’s Grand National lunch that accompanied the announcement of the official weights for this year’s renewal of the historic marathon event, Alan King refused to be drawn on whether or not his highly progressive staying handicapper Hold On Julio will take his chance on April 14, writes Elliot Slater. Read more

Alan King has a potentially strong hand for the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 16, the Barbury Castle-based handler having charge of the very promising Grumeti as well as Balder Succes, a youngster who took his unbeaten record to three when easily accounting for his two rivals in an Ascot juvenile hurdle on January 21, writes Elliot Slater. Read more

German poker is absolutely booming at the moment thanks to a series of high profile live tournament scores including the biggest win of them all the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. Read more

The manner of England’s second defeat to Pakistan was simply atrocious. Few would have expected it as Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss walked out to bat for the second time of the game, with England requiring just 145 runs to win. Read more

Niche Market is set for his third attempt at the Grand National this year at Aintree as he bids to win the race for the first time for trainer Paul Nicholls. Read more

Grumeti, the horse who advanced to share ante-post favouritism for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March despite falling on his most recent outing, is set to have a couple more runs before taking his chance in the two-mile juvenile hurdle cavalry charge on the fourth day of the festival meeting, writes Elliot Slater. Read more

Nicky Henderson’s exciting novice chaser Sprinter Sacre could take a highly unusual path to the Irish Independent Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on March 13, bidding for the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Ascot in February as a warm-up for the two-mile novice chasing crown instead of the conventional route of competing against other first-season chasers, writes Elliot Slater. Read more

With defending champion Hurricane Fly yet to be seen in action this season and a number of other leading two-mile hurdlers having shown smart form already this term the Champion Hurdle, highlight on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival that begins on March 13, is almost certainly a more open affair than the market might suggest, writes Elliot Slater. Read more