Candle burns out for Countrywide Flame

Countrywide Flame, third in last season’s Champion Hurdle, has been retired after being found to be suffering from a degenerative bone disease.

Trainer John Quinn’s dual-purpose performer won the Triumph Hurdle and the Fighting Fifth Hurdle last year, as well as finishing runner-up in the Cesarewitch on the Flat.

“He’s been a horse and a half,” said Quinn of the five-year-old.

* BHA tightens up Turf’s anti-doping regime

Testing-in-training samples are to be doubled in the new year, following a review by the British Horseracing Authority in the wake of the Mahmood al-Zarooni and Gerard Butler steroid scandals.

In addition, the number of post-race tests will increase by 20 per cent.