Racing: Valley Henry sold to join Howard Johnson

Valley Henry, fourth to Best Mate in last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup, has been sold for "an undisclosed sum" and will join County Durham trainer Howard Johnson.

The eight-year-old, currently trained by Paul Nicholls, has been bought by Graham Wylie, who recently failed in a bid to purchase Jair du Cochet. Wylie paid 340,000gns for bumper winner Royal Rosa at the Doncaster Sales and has also bought Cambridgeshire winner Chivalry, Inglis Drever, Rayshan, Beauchamp Gigi and Inching Closer. Anthony Bromley, of Highflyer Bloodstock, said yesterday: "We tried to buy Jair du Cochet, but when that didn't happen I brokered a deal between Mr Johnson and Paul Barber (Valley Henry's owner). It was done over the weekend and the horse was vetted this morning."

The King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day is Valley Henry's first target for his new owner.