Trainer Evan Williams was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday. He was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to a 71-year-old man on his property in Llancarfan. Conversely, the racing action on Tuesday was positive, centring around 2000 Guineas contender Talk of New York, who impressed in victory.
On a day of headlines, here is the racing news today rounded up for Wendesday.
Evan Williams jailed for three years
Trainer Evan Williams was sentenced to three years in jail at Cardiff Crown Court. Williams had already been found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to 71-year-old Martin Dandridge. Williams claimed he confused Dandridge for a “lamper” on his property in the Vale of Glamorgan. However, he was found guilty, with Recorder Angharad Price sentencing him to three years in prison on Tuesday. As such, the future of the Williams yard is now in doubt. (BBC)
2000 Guineas contenders impress on and off the racecourse
Talk Of New York impressed in his 2000 Guineas prep run on Tuesday. Charlie Appleby’s three-year-old was the odds-on favourite for a 7f conditions stakes on day one of Newmarket’s Craven meeting. He easily swept aside his rivals despite racing from the back of the pack. He had already been well-supported for the opening Classic despite an odds-on reverse at Listed level in Dubai. Largely unchanged in the market, he remains the second favourite for the 2000 Guineas. (Sporting Life)
Though he has not yet raced this year, Bow Echo has also left trainer George Boughey feeling positive about his aspirations. The son of Night Of Thunder is unbeaten in three starts and therefore heads the 2000 Guineas betting. His last win came over the Rowley Mile in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes. Boughey reported him to be in good order after a racecourse gallop at Newmarket on Tuesday. Boughey said it was “routine stuff”, but that he “was thrilled with it”. (Sporting Life)
Aintree winner Laafi disqualified
A winner at Aintree’s Grand National meeting has been disqualified. Laafi won the conditional and amaterus’ handicap hurdle on Friday 10 April. However, his jockey Patrick O’Brien used his whip four times over the limit allowed. The BHA’s rules state that any jockey who uses their whip four or more times above the prescribed limit will be disqualified from their respective result, regardless of finishing position. Therefore, runner-up Melon has now been awarded the contest. (Racing Post)
White Noise headlines Haydock card
Cheltenham Festival heroine White Noise returns at Haydock on Wednesday. The Grade 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle winner will contest the Listed Unibet Abram Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Lancashire venue. She carries a penalty for that success, but is an odds-on favourite to record her fifth win in six starts. Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls’ mare provided Tom Bellamy with a first Cheltenham win, and he renews the partnership. (Racing TV)