Racing: King starts defence of the crown

The man on board the seven-year-old, Barry Geraghty, was equally confident. "He is fit and well and has matured," he said. "I've ridden him at home in the last couple of weeks. He improved from his novice season to last season, and I'm sure there's even more in him because he's better again."

A king in a different sphere, and a much longer-reigning one, will shortly set out as a rookie again. Pat Eddery, the 11-times champion Flat jockey, was yesterday granted a training licence. The 53-year-old, who retired from riding two years ago, will start his second career from Musk Hill, near Aylesbury, where he already has a team of 30 horses in his care.

* Robert Winston has been rebailed until March after spending yesterday being questioned in connection with the City of London Police investigation into alleged race-fixing. Winston is one of five jockeys to have been arrested and bailed. All deny any wrongdoing. The rider, who broke his jaw in a fall at Ayr in August, was arrested in February.

* Pat Eddery, the 11-times champion Flat jockey, was yesterday granted a training licence. The 53-year-old, who retired from riding two years ago, will train from Musk Hill, near Aylesbury.