Racing: Ludlow calls off the chase

Two steeplechases were called off at Ludlow yesterday when the Richard Dunwoody- partnered Clifton Beat stumbled and unshipped his rider on the flat in the novices' chase. Following complaints from Dunwoody, the stewards decided it was unsafe to go ahead with the remaining chases.

Dunwoody said: "There's a hole at least 18 inches deep as my whip goes in down to the flap. My horse is lucky not to have broken a leg and I'm not prepared to ride over that part of the course again."

William Hill have opened betting on the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham and make the Noel Meade-trained Dardjini, impressive at Leopardstown on his chasing debut, the 4-1 favourite.

ARKLE TROPHY (Cheltenham, 17 March) William Hill: 4-1 Dardjini, 9-2 Boardroom Shuffle, 7-1 Hill Society, 8-1 Crack On, Direct Route, Edelweis Du Moulin, 10-1 Queen Of Spades, 16-1 Hurricane Lamp, Kadastrof, Mandys Mantino, 20-1 Ashwell Boy, Chief's Song, Magical Lady, Northern Starlight, Space Trucker.

MILDMAY/CAZALET MEMORIAL HANDICAP CHASE (Sandown, Saturday) William Hill: 7-2 Him Of Praise, 4-1 Dom Samourai, 7-1 Hermes Harvest, 8-1 Harwell Lad, 9-1 What A Hand, 10-1 ANC Express, Full Of Oats, Yorkshire Gale, 12-1 Call It A Day, Celtic Abbey, 14-1 Parsons Boy, 25-1 Dakyns Boy, General Pongo, Sister Stephanie, 33-1 Equity Player.