Rider on murder charge

The conditional jockey Christy McGrath has been remanded in custody, charged with murder, after an incident in which a man was found dead in a pub garden on Monday.

The conditional jockey Christy McGrath has been remanded in custody, charged with murder, after an incident in which a man was found dead in a pub garden on Monday.

The 23-year-old, who is attached to Norman Mason's yard, appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham, yesterday and was remanded until 26 July. Gary Walton, a 37-year-old former apprentice with Newcastle United, suffered fatal head injuries. His body was found at the rear of the Miner's Arms in Coundon, near where he lived with his wife and daughters.

McGrath, who joined Mason last year after a four-year spell with Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle, has had two winners from a total of 22 rides this year. His most recent winning ride came on 17 May at Perth.