Racing: Riders pursue Tom

TOM TATE is not an easy man to contact at the moment. The Yorkshire trainer's telephone is probably permanently engaged as the nation's jockeys attempt to clamber aboard his Ask Tom at the Cheltenham Festival.

Ask Tom is without a partner following the serious injury to his regular rider, Russ Garritty, at Sedgefield on Tuesday. The jockey will be missing for the rest of the season with a fracture of the spine.

"It's very sad for Russ and the whole episode at Sedgefield was upsetting," Tate said yesterday. "It's a bit early to get a new jockey sorted out for Ask Tom, although I can tell you a queue is already developing.''

The injury to Rough Quest, the 1996 Grand National winner, is not as serious as first imagined and the old horse may be back in action at Wincanton or Kempton next week before another National tilt is considered.