Spencer back in the saddle with jumps ride
BY LEWIS PORTEOUS 12:17PM 10 NOV 2014
ANYONE predicting Jamie Spencer's third-place finish on Dashing Star at Doncaster on Saturday would be the last time the former champion would be riding on a British racecourse will get a shock when they look at Lingfield's jumps card on Tuesday.
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Lingfield card
Former Cheltenham Festival winner Spencer, who in August dropped a bombshell when announcing plans to retire from the saddle at the end of season, has been snapped up for the ride on Lyssio by trainer Jim Best in the 'Flat Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle on the card as he rides under jumps rules in Britain for the first time since taking one ride in the 2008-09 season.
"We're absolutely thrilled to see him riding," said Lingfield's clerk of the course Ed Arkell. "If it is his last ride in Britain it would be lovely to see him sign off with a winner. He's a big name and you'd hope people would make the most of another opportunity to see him."
As well as Spencer, who won the Champion Bumper on Pizarro in 2002, another Cheltenham Festival-winning rider will participate, with Paddy Aspell booked for Lucy Wadham's Tealissio.
Aspell, who won the 2010 William Hill Trophy on Chief Dan George, has since switched his attention to the Flat and is joined in the race by 2012 winner Fergus Sweeney, Grade 1-winning rider Martin Lane and Declan Bates.
The going at Lingfield is heavy, soft in places and, despite the risk of further isolated showers, Arkell is predicting similar conditions for racing.
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