Punters tune in to Song

Richard Dunwoody's mount, Chief's Song, was heavily backed yesterday for the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.

The sponsors cut their price for Simon Dow's horse from 14-1 to 13-2 clear second favourite. Ladbrokes laid him to lose over pounds 40,000, cutting their odds to 7-1 from 10-1.

The latter firm eased the favourite, Bimsey out to 7-2 from 3-1, despite confirmation that Reg Akehurst's five-year-old will run. Doubts had arisen because Bimsey's weight had been put up 4lb without connections or punters knowing.