Martin Pipe’s popular stalker Cyfor Malta has died at the age of 31

Cyfor Malta, the popular chaser who won four in a row at Cheltenham and Aintree in the 1998-99 season, has died aged 31.

The Martin Pipe-trained gelding was the most famous French recruit for owner David Johnson in 1997 and finished second in the Scilly Isles Novice Chase at Sandown on his second start in Britain. That season he ran successfully in the Cathcart Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

His best win came in the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham in 1999 when he beat Go Ballistic and See More Business, who contested the Gold Cup two months later – Cyfor Malta missed the race through injury.

He had another major handicap chase when he won the Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 2002.

Pipe’s son David said: “He was an amazing horse and unfortunately we probably didn’t get to see him at his best because of his injuries, but you won’t find many more talented. He left special memories for all of us.”

The Jockey Club will offer free entry to the Stayers’ Hurdle to Grade 1 winners in the US

In a tie-up between the Iroquois Steeplechase and the Jockey Club, the winner of next year’s US Grade 1 Hurdle will receive a free entry into the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.

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

The winner of the Calvin Houghland Iroquois needs a rating of 130+ to qualify for the Cheltenham Festival, with the Jockey Club also providing a travel bonus to support entry.

Dwight Hall, Chairman of the Iroquois Steeplechase, said: “We could not 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 jumps racing and the snap decision after his historic third win in the Calvin Houghland Iroquois, and our 2025 winner being invited to race at this legendary event, highlights the caliber of horses competing. This partnership underscores the strength of the connection between our two prestigious events.”

The connections of Alphonse Le Grande gave the date for the appeal against Cesarevitch’s decision

Connections with Alphonse Le Grande will aim to overturn this month’s Cesarewitch after their runner was disqualified for a whiplash offence.

Jockey Jamie Powell has been banned for 28 days and his mount demoted after the rider was found to have used his whip four times over the limit in the closing stages of the historic Newmarket Handicap.

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

Popular racer Paula Roberts died at the age of 61

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

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

Pilsudski won the Breeders’ Cup Turf in Canada in 1996 before going on to win the Eclipse Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes, Champion Stakes (then at Newmarket) and the Japan Cup.

PILSUDSKI AFTER WINNING THE IRELAND CHAMP WITH LORD WAINSTOCK AND PAULA ROBERTS

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 the Godolphin Champion.

Last year, Roberts was honored to switch on the Christmas lights in Newmarket in recognition of her ongoing battle with cancer. She was a passionate and influential chairman of the Newmarket Allotment Association and made gardening accessible to everyone in her local community.

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

Racing Post’s Lee Mottershead has been shortlisted for the Specialist Journalism Award

Lee Mottershead of The Racing Post has been shortlisted for the British Journalism Awards 2024.

He is one of eight journalists nominated for a Specialist Journalism Award following his investigation the owner of a racehorse appears in front of an illegal bookmaker with more than 1000 customers.

This year British Journalism Award attracted 750 entries covering all major UK news organisations.

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

Chief Justice and Press Gazette Editor-in-Chief Dominic Ponsford said: “Without journalism, Boris Johnson would still be Prime Minister, the postmasters who were affected would not have a voice and the victims of the tainted blood scandal would have no chance of getting compensation

“The British Journalism Awards 2024 shortlists celebrate stories that would not have been told without journalists willing to shine a light on uncomfortable truths and publications brave enough to claim them.”

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