Racing: Atlantic swell for Nicholls

DAVID NICHOLLS saddled his ninth winner in just over two weeks and 55th for the season when Atlantic Destiny held on by half a length from Almasi to take Ripon's Centenary Year Handicap yesterday.

"He needs blinkers on over five but not over today's six so we left them off," the Thirsk-based trainer said later. "He's not very consistent - he doesn't seem to run back-to-back.

"He was second to Rudi's Pet at Thirsk earlier in the season trying to give Rudi's 8lb and we thought he'd go on from there but it didn't quite work out."

Canta Ke Brave was given a powerful ride by Darryll Holland to return to the winner's circle at Ripon.

Holland had Sean Woods' charge in the front from the start and it took all the jockey's strength to defy one challenge after another before staying on to hold Dispol Rock by one and three-quarter lengths.

Jonothan Lower has admitted defeat in his battle with the scales and announced his retirement from race-riding.

The 32-year-old, who won a battle with the Jockey Club to become the first diagnosed diabetic to ride in Britain, will continue to school horses at the stable of champion jump trainer Martin Pipe.