Flat and jumps riding fees go up

Riding fees for jump jockeys are being increased from £93.15 to £96.40 from a week on Friday. The new fee for Flat jockeys will be £70.55, raised from £68.17, from the same date.

Riding fees for jump jockeys are being increased from £93.15 to £96.40 from a week on Friday. The new fee for Flat jockeys will be £70.55, raised from £68.17, from the same date.

Michael Caulfield, the executive manager of the Jockeys' Association, said yesterday: "This rise is both welcome and needed as costs now incurred by jockeys are prohibitive and many riders are really struggling to make ends meet. Having seen sets of jockeys' accounts, the majority of riding fees are spent on racing expenses and I know this fact is often overlooked."

He also warned: "We have monitored recent events over new media rights income and jockeys must be recognised when the industry decides how new income will be distributed."

Richard Hills will be hoping for a big pay day on Saturday after Misraah was yesterday given the go-ahead to run in the £150,000 Tote International Handicap at Ascot, and may well start favourite. Surprise Encounter, who had been ante-post market leader, was ruled out of the feature event on Monday.

Misraah finished third behind Mozart in the six-furlong July Cup on his latest start and can race off a handicap mark of 107 on Saturday, having been raised to 115 following his Newmarket efforts.

Hills said: "Misraah is more than capable of winning a Group race and he's got an exceptionally good chance on Saturday, although he is a horse that needs everything to go right on the day.

"I think he's equally effective at five, six or seven furlongs, and remember we ran him in the Guineas last season. He's a very versatile horse, and gelding him this season has made a big difference. We just need a good draw."

TOTE INTERNATIONAL HANDICAP (sponsors latest odds): 9-1 Atavus, Misraah, Tillerman, 10-1 Nice One Clare, 12-1 Hurricane Floyd, 14-1 Big Future, 16-1 Zucchero, Proceed With Care, 20-1 others.