Potential new football teams in the area could benefit from £1.5m of funding, designed specifically for grassroots clubs to start new teams and is set to open for applications.

The Grow the Game scheme is designed to increase participation in football by helping clubs with the costs associated with creating new teams.

A sum of £1,500 is available for each new team that a club creates with the grants, the amount is aimed at covering the costs incurred for league entry, referees’ fees, first aid kits, FA coaching courses, football strips and more.

Sunday League chairman Mark Plumpton (pictured right) said: “The Grow The Game scheme is a fantastic way for potential local football teams to create a club and break through the initial barrier of sourcing start-up costs.

“The scheme gives clubs the ability to fund their initial start up costs such as kit, pitch and league fees, which are usually the most expensive outlay when creating a team.

“Grow the Game also gives people the opportunity to set up their team with the guidance of the North/East Riding FA helping them along the way, meaning every step of the creation of a club process is covered.

“It is also worth noting clubs have to meet criteria such as players must be increasing participation in men’s football, so there can’t be folding of teams to create a new one for the sake of a grant.

“As far as I know, my Goal Sports team was the first to take advantage of the scheme and this is probably because of a lack of advertisement.

“Applications also close on the March 10 so people need to move quickly to get sorted.”

Plumpton has offered his support to any potential new teams who want to enquire about how to access the funding.

He added: “I’ve actually had three potential new clubs speak to me already just from the post I put up on social media. This could be massive if people do it right.”

For more information on Grow the Game contact Steven Wade, NRCFA development manager on 01642 717775 or via email steven.wade@northridingfa.com to find out more.

Two of the area’s most imposing attractions will be showcasing an amazing array of snowdrops this month.

Both Burton Agnes Hall and Sewerby Hall and Gardens will offer the chance to witness the annual spring sensation.

Every February, hundreds of thousands of hardy snowdrops push through the cold winter ground, creating a magnificent ‘white carpet’ across the woodland floor at Burton Agnes Hall.

The Cunliffe-Lister family is inviting visitors to wrap up warmly and celebrate the start of the new season by enjoying the breathtaking display of snowdrops in their home’s historic woodland throughout February.

Simon Cunliffe-Lister said: “At the end of a long winter we relish the sight of the hardy little plants that spring up every year.

“This hopeful biblical symbol reminds us that winter, however harsh, does eventually give way to spring.”

The Snowdrop Spectacular runs from this Saturday (6 February) to Sunday 6 March, from 11am to 4pm each day.

At the end of the snowdrop opening, Burton Agnes holds its annual Orchid Festival on the weekend of 5 and 6 March. There will be stunning exhibitions in the Hall, and flower sales.

Expert advisors will give talks and take questions about how to care for orchids, and there will be slide shows and stalls selling orchid related goods.

Snowdrops can now be seen along some areas of Sewerby Hall and Gardens – in particular the woodland walk and adjacent to the main pathway up towards the house.

Admission charges to the zoo and house apply at this time of year but not for the gardens. Seasonal opening times apply and full details can be found by visiting www.sewerbyhall.co.uk or calling 01262 673769.

You can always rely on Cheltenham to deliver the goods. Or at least that’s what punters thought last Friday as they tucked into the study of a high-class card for the track’s Festival Trials meeting the following day.

Imagine the horror when they woke up in the morning to the bombshell news that overnight rain had saturated the course, which was waterlogged in places, and a late 10 am inspection was needed to ward off abandonment.

While visions of standing water on the hallowed turf conjured up memories of Desert Orchid’s Gold Cup Day back in 1989, they also threw up a dilemma for racegoers already on their way to Prestbury Park. Should they re-route to Doncaster, where a similarly fascinating card was sure to beat the weather? Some of us travelling by train even felt the need to decamp at Derby and wait for the inspection before deciding whether to continue our journey south-west or north.

In the end, the panic-button had been needlessly pressed. This was, after all, Cheltenham we were talking about. Iconic Cheltenham. Home of dreams and legends. We should have had faith. The goods were indeed delivered.

No matter that the ground was as testing as Cotswolds nature allowed. No matter that a cluster of fences were omitted. The meeting not only survived but also succeeded in re-igniting the Jumps season with a characteristically captivating day of action that laid to rest the very ordinary fare of elsewhere through the previous month.

When my fraught trek had finally reached its destination, clerk of the course Simon Claisse confessed to me it had been a close call. “It was a very sweaty morning!” he joked. But in truth, the track did not ride that badly and supplied the usual posse of clues for a Festival that is creeping ever closer.

It was also a day fit for A.King. Alan King, to be exact, who saddled three of the seven winners, not to mention the big-race victor at Doncaster too. In a campaign that has seen so many leading UK trainers toil, most notably David Pipe, Jonjo O’Neill and Donald McCain, and one in which even Paul Nicholls has got bogged down in the midwinter mud, King has stood alongside West Country Philip Hobbs as a beacon of admirable consistency. And in SMAD PLACE, he provided the highlight of Cheltenham’s day with a spectacular return to winning ways in the Gold Cup trial, the BetBright Chase.

Reverting to the front-running exuberance that landed him the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November, the increasingly popular nine-year-old grey led an elite field a merry dance, making a mockery of the bizarre decision to abandon such tactics for the King George on Boxing Day. His display fitted the strengths of stand-in jockey Richard Johnson like a glove, and the relentless reserves of stamina he dug into to see off Grand National winner MANY CLOUDS on the long run past the bypassed second-last made it impossible for King to resist a second tilt at the Blue Riband in six weeks’ time.

Of course, Smad Place’s task was made easier by the fall of DJAKADAM, last season’s Gold Cup runner-up, at the tricky downhill fence that heralds the second circuit. The hot favourite was travelling with customary comfort at the time of his tumble, which set the tone for a rare off-day for his trainer, Willie Mullins, who drew a blank from four runners on these shores.

I was quite surprised that Mullins later announced he will not try and squeeze another race into Djakadam before the Gold Cup. It’s never the wisest to go to the Festival on the back of a fall except, of course, if your name happens to be DAWN RUN, winner of the greatest Gold Cup of all after she herself had come a cropper in this very same prep race back in 1986 when trained by Mullins’s late father, Paddy, and ridden by his brother, Tony.

With VAUTOUR’S suitablity for 3m-plus set to be tested again at Newbury a week on Saturday, Mullins’s number one candidate to break his Gold Cup duck might yet turn out to be the durable DON POLI. And the one they all have to beat might yet turn out to be the revitalised CUE CARD, whose trainer Colin Tizzard is apperently losing little sleep over Saturday’s trial. On greeting his rising star THISTLECRACK after his dazzling dominance of the Cleeve Hurdle, Tizzard was interviewed in the winner’s enclosure and asked what he thought of Smad Place’s triumph. Wihout sounding remotely arrogant or complacent, but rather full of matter-of-factness, the wily Tizzard replied: “Well, we beat him 15 lengths in the King George. I think that answers that question.”

The Dorset handler will be going to bed every night between now and the Festival more excited than most of us, dreaming of a magnificent double because Thistlecrack looks every inch a World Hurdle hero in waiting. As strong a banker as any of the Mullins battalions.

Mullins will also need to pull out the stops to take the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle because YANWORTH, trained by King and owned JP McManus, was a gobsmackingly impressive winner of Saturday’s Cheltenham trial. The six-year-old toyed with a quality field on the bridle and while he looks like a potential chaser, he is improving at such a rate of knots over timber that it would be no surprise to see him mature into a Champion Hurdle prospect next year.

Yanworth, Thistlecrack, Smad Place. Thank goodness I got back on that Cheltenham train!

OTHER CHELTENHAM HORSES TO KEEP AN EYE ON

Other horses to catch the eye at Cheltenham on Saturday included:

CONSUL DE THAIX -- the juvenile hurdle was won by a stablemate, but Nicky Henderson’s scopy French-bred, owned by JP McManus, could well be a better long-term prospect.

KING’S ODYSSEY -- pray that the assessor isn’t too harsh on Evan Williams’s winner of the 2m5f novices’ handicap chase because he’s developing into a class act.

SHANTOU VILLAGE -- Neil Mulholland’s novice hurdler surrendered his unbeaten record in bowing to Yanworth, but could still make his mark at the Festival if stepped up to 3m.

CLEAN SHEET -- satisfactory seasonal bow for Nicky Henderson’s lighty-raced hurdler, who is being primed for a major handicap pot.

Attention! Prepare for an invasion – the Dad’s Army film will have visitors flocking to the East Coast to see the ruggedly beautiful setting.

There will be no repelling of borders – on the contrary there will be a warm welcome from Beverley to Bridlington and Flamborough to Goathland.

Of all the stars – Michael Gambon, Tom Courtenay, Toby Jones, Bill Nighy and Catherine Zeta-Jones – none out shine the North Sea, shimmering in an autumn sun, the sweep of white cliffs of Flamborough and Bempton, the charm of Bridlington Old Town or the prettiness of Flamborough North Landing and the cobles resting on it.

There were scenes of this spy-in-the-camp caper shot at the East Riding Theatre in Beverley. While looking round this theatre/cafe – fast gaining a reputation for staging challenging and exciting work – visitors can also enjoy the Minister, shops and River Hull. They may want to check when the races are on or one of the many festivals – chamber and folk music, comedy and literature – the town hosts and make a week of it.

Also inland are shots of the North York Moors Railway steaming its way through an autumn-leafed Ryedale.

Then to the coast – those who think of Bridlington as a row of amusement arcades, crab and candy floss stalls and families shivering on the beach in the summer downpours will choke on their cliches.

Of course, it has arcades (name a seaside resort that does not), sometimes summer can be inclement and there are plenty of seafood stalls – they are part of the town’s fabric.

In fact you can imagine the Eric Gill-style seaside postcards that may well spring from this film. Catherine Zeta-Jones in the character of femme fatale Rose Winters leaning over the sea wall on the front looking dreamily towards the horizon and Bill Nighy as ladies’ man Sgt Wilson gazing lustily at her derriere. The caption reads: Only here for the view.

Bridlington Old Town, though, is full of an olde worlde charm and character. From the Priory to Westgate park and bowling green it is a slice of life almost from another era – which is what made it so perfect for the big screen version of one of TV’s most loved sitcoms.

The film showcases a smidgen of what the Old Town can offer. That is not to be disparaging of what it does show – that is fantastic. In fact, with bunting and banners, chintz and china – the Old Town is the centrepiece of the Dad’s Army film. Plenty of action takes place there incluidng the closing credits parade.

The facias of its tearooms, antique shops and restaurants – The Lamp, Raffles and Burlingtons – are all recognisable. But there is more to the Old Town then meets the cinematographer’s eye. Come see for yourself.

Those of us who live here, know the power of Bempton and Flamborough cliffs.

No-one sings the Vera Lynn song when they come in sight of them but there is no diminshing the power of the sheer chalk faces which brazen it out to the North Sea.

Both areas are a walkers and bird lovers paradise – and the film references that.

The East Coast and its surrounding towns and villages have always looked this good – now the rest of the country knows that, too.

Dad’s Army can be seen at the Forum, Bridlington, Hollywood Plaza, Scarborough, and Parkway Cinema, Beverley, now.

The meeting in Driffield run by Frack Free East Yorkshire was very informative. Above all, it brought home to us the risks to our environment and health posed by the processes involved in the extraction of fossil fuel in this way.

No, we cannot completely foresee its impact. However, consider for a moment what sort of safety-checks would be required if it were a new medical treatment, maybe for cancer! In no way would it be permitted to go ahead until the most rigorous tests had been done. How can we be so cavalier about the impact of fracking?

The Conservative government is becoming extremely flaky about our energy sources of the future.

They are reneging on the development of renewables, championed in the coalition government by Ed Davey and the Liberal Democrats.

Do we really need to leave yet another toxic legacy to our children and grandchildren? No-one knows how much the de-commissioning of our aged nuclear power-stations is going to cost us in the long run.

In effect, that is a blank cheque! Reports from the USA suggest that fracking, too, has several potentially unforeseen, damaging, effects on our water-supplies, on the air we breathe, and on our health.

Remember, governments only last 5 years.

It is so tempting for them to seize the immediate advantage, and to push the problems, and the costs, into the future.

Do we really need another expensive mistake – fracking?

We can only hope that, with a slump in world demand for energy, fracking will not be economically viable, anyway.

Meanwhile, let us gladly accept a few more wind-turbines on our landscape or off our coast. Let us hope that renewables are further encouraged and become cheaper.

Let us rejoice if they create more employment and prosperity in the Humber and Yorkshire region.

Geoff Ormerod

East Yorkshire Liberal Democrats

With new bikes and a new sponsor in tow, a Kilham road racer has revealed his plans for the coming season.

This week, James Cowton revealed his deal with Chris Lennon of Radcliffe Butchers, based on the Isle of Man, who have stepped up their sponsorship of the 23-year-old who has been racing for six seasons already.

Under the banner, Cowton Racing by Radcliffe’s, will be racing a BMW 1000, a Honda 600 and a Supertwin at the four local rounds at Oliver’s Mount as well at Irish dates and of course the all-important TT.

It is stark contrast to what he admits was a nightmare 2015 season with deals and bikes falling through and he was not able to compete at the level he is used to.

He told the Times and Post: “I am putting that behind me and looking forward to the season and making all the planning worthwhile.

“They believed I could do better than I was if I had solid machinery and it is good that they have given me the break.

“Being on one bike then someone lending me another, we were starting from scratch all the time with set up and you are constantly up against things.

“It was quite hard to keep motivated and not being in the position we would like to be in.”

The position Cowton says he would like to find himself in this year is finishing all seven TT races he is down for.

With Guy Martin out of the running and being on the emerging BMW, Cowton says he has gained a place already.

He added: “At the TT last year I rode the BMW and enjoyed it. I see a lot more potential in the bikes. Michael Dunlop was the first on one and Milwauke have gone to them instead of Yamaha.

“All the races are important but the TT is the one we are working up to.

“The most enjoyable races for me are the Southern 100. It is not a big meeting but I really enjoy it and that is what it is all about.”

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements for the coming week commencing February 8, could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.

M1 junction 32 Thurcroft to junction 35a Stocksbridge

The hard shoulder is currently closed in both directions as part of the smart motorway scheme. There will be narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit until the project is completed in winter 2016. The northbound side of the carriageway will be reduced to a single lane overnight for five nights from Monday 8 February. The northbound entry slip road at junction 31 will be closed overnight for two nights from Monday 8 February. The northbound side of the carriageway will be closed between the slip roads at junction 31 overnight for two nights from Wednesday 10 February. The northbound exit slip road at junction 31 will be closed overnight on Monday 8 February. The northbound entry slip road at junction 34 will be closed overnight for two nights from Monday 8 February. The northbound side of the carriageway will be closed between the slip roads at junction 34 overnight for two nights from Thursday 11 February. The southbound entry slip road at junction 35 will be closed overnight for three nights from Wednesday 10 February. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

M1 junction 39 Denby Dale to junction 42 (M62 interchange)

The northbound side of the carriageway will reduced to a single lane between junction 39 to junction 40 overnight for four nights from Monday 8 February. The southbound side of the carriageway will be fully closed between junction 41 to junction 40 overnight for three nights from Tuesday 9 February. The southbound carriageway will be fully closed between junction 39 to junction 40 overnight on Friday 12 February. The southbound entry slip road at junction 39 will be closed overnight for three nights from Wednesday 10 February. The southbound exit slip road at junction 41 will be closed overnight on Monday 8 February. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes. The northbound carriageway will be fully closed between junction 41 to junction 42 overnight the three nights from Friday 12 February. All closures are for smart motorway works. The closures will take place between 8pm and 9am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes. The northbound carriageway will be reduced to two lanes running from junction 41 to junction 42 for two days from Saturday 13 February between 9am and 8pm for smart motorway works.

M18 junction 3 Doncaster

The southbound exit slip road at junction 3 will be closed overnight for bridge works on Monday 8 February. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

M62 junction 32a to junction 33

The eastbound carriageway will be fully closed for five nights for bridge works from Monday 8 February. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

M62 junction 26 Chain Bar

The westbound carriageway will be reduced to a single lane overnight on Monday 8 February for barrier works. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am.

M62 junction 25 to junction 26

The eastbound carriageway will be reduced to a single lane overnight on Wednesday 10 February for barrier works. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am.

M62 junction 26 Bradford (M606 interchange)

There will be narrow lanes and a 30mph speed limit in place until a project to add an extra lane to the roundabout at the junction is completed in autumn 2016. The slip roads and roundabout will be reduced to a single lane overnight, between 7pm and 6am, from Monday 8 February for five nights.

M62/A162 junction 33 Ferrybridge

The northbound and southbound A162 will be fully closed 24/7 untill May 2016 for bridge work. The closures will take place 24/7, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion route.

A1M junction 35 to junction 36 Warmsworth

The northbound side of the carriageway will be fully closed overnight for four nights Monday 8 February for barrier works. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

A61 Tankersley

The A61 will be closed in both directions between Westwood to Wentworth for roundabout improvement work from Monday 8 February for four nights. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

M62 junction 27/A62 Geldered Road

The northbound side of the A road will be fully closed overnight for three nights for bridge works from Monday 8 February. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

A64 Fulford to Askham Bryan

There will be narrow lanes eastbound and westbound and a 30mph speed limit for bridge works until the project is completed in spring 2016. The eastbound side of the A road will be fully closed overnight on Wednesday 10 February. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

A64 Pickering

The eastbound entry slip road at Pickering interchange will be fully closed overnight for two nights for carriageway repairs from Monday 8 February. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

A628 Flouch to Gunn Inn

The carriageway will be fully closed overnight on Monday 8 February for resurfacing works. The closures will take place between 8pm and 6am, and drivers will be able to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

A180/A160 Immingham, Humberside

There will be narrow lanes on the A180 and A160 along with a 50mph speed limit while work takes place to improve access to the Port of Immingham, including upgrading the A160 to a dual carriageway. The project is due to be completed in autumn 2016. The westbound exit slip road and eastbound entry slip road at Brocklesby Interchange will be closed until August 2016.

A funeral service was held at East Riding Crematorium on Monday January 25, for Mrs Amy Turnbull of Driffield who died in Hull Royal Infirmary on January 9. She was aged 82 years.

The service was conducted by the Rev Andrew Ison.

Amy was born in Hull on January 21, 1933 to James and Lilian Hunter. She was one of five children and her siblings were Arthur, Lilian, Marlene and Ida. She attended school in Hull, growing up through the hard times of the Second World War which no doubt had its impact on Hull.

After leaving school she worked in the factories, initially at Kingston Lamp and then at a firelighters factory, she also did various cleaning jobs for Yorkshire Water.

She met her husband to be John, better known as Jock Turnbull at a dance. He was in the middle of his National Service. They married on August 4, 1951 at St George’s Church, Marfleet, a church which closed in 2008 but All Saints’ Church, Driffield has their baptismal font. After their marriage they lived with Amy’s parents for a couple of years before finding their own home. They went on to have five children Susan, Christine, Julie, Ian and Pauline. They moved to Tophill Low in 1959 due to Jock’s work at Yorkshire Water then moved to Southfield Close in Driffield in 1989 which was their final home together. This move was due to Jock’s illness and the fact Amy didn’t drive, although she was very much the strong one who took charge.

Amy was very home and family orientated, she was very practical, growing her own vegetables, knitting, baking etc. Skills she passed on to the children. She was always there for the children and they could tell her anything and she would always engage with their questions and needs.

The family later expanded to 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, so plenty to keep her busy.

Sadly Jock died about a year ago and Amy found this very tough as they had been married for over 60 years.

She will be greatly missed by her family.

Family mourners: Mrs S Hood, Mrs C Harman and Mr B Bell,Mr and Mrs T Taylor, Mr and Mrs I Turnbull, Mr and Mrs D England, Mrs A Maxwell, Miss K Hood, Mr S Hood, Mr S Harman, Mr K Harman, Mr R Harman and Miss L Flack, Mr A Taylor, Miss R Taylor, Mr C Turnbull, Miss H Turnbull, Mrs R Hunter, Mr and Mrs M Hunter, Mr and Mrs R Hultum, Mrs M Wiles, Miss C Wiles, Mrs M Brown, Mrs K England, Miss K Milner, Mrs C Thomas, Miss L Pottage, Mrs A Pottage, Mr P Harley.

Others present: Des Riley, David Robinson rep Salvation Army, June Dunn, Susan Malster rep Keith Malster and Hilary Robson, Mrs Mary Patrick, Peter Baker, Mrs E Ives, Neil Ives, Pat Cowton, Alison Clark, Lorraine Barker rep Les Artley, Geoffrey Backhouse, Mr and Mrs M Websdale rep Mrs Brenda Curtis, John Harland, Elaine Sainsbury-Bell, Jill Otley, Derek and Jane Cox, Mrs Elaine Wilkinson, Liz Warkup, Mrs Gloria Dove, Susan and Martin Sykes, Colin Beckett.

It’s a really exciting time to be in Mortimer House!

I was appointed as the new head of Mortimer House in the autumn term last year and since then the house 
office has seen a move to a more prominent position in North building and a complete make-over.

The colour green is slowly working its way through the foyer of North building as the Mortimer House colour stamps its identity on the building.

A fresh feel and new displays highlight the latest achievements of Mortimer House.

Last term we came first in the DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) challenge, winning a trophy and certificates.

Mortimer students have recently enjoyed taking part in the Pumpkin Challenge and SEWA Day activities at the Limes care home in Driffield.

We have also being doing a piece of work on British values and have been raising awareness and sharing ideas by creating giant Union Flags which are displayed throughout the building.

Currently we are focused on Growth Mind Set, which is the premise that we all tend to learn better when we regard intelligence and other abilities not as fixed traits that we either have or lack, but as attributes that can be improved through effort.

All Mortimer students have been learning about how to be resilient and how to increase their effort.

It’s hoped this great work will pay off for all and be reflected in the forthcoming Progress Checks.

Racing pundit Tony McCormick from.irishbigracetrends.com presents his weekly column, this week Tony talks to Matt Bisogno from geegeez.co.uk about last weekend’s Cheltenham Trials Day.

It was grand to catch up with one of my closest friends in racing, Matt Bisogno who owns the excellent winner finding site geegeez.co.uk, to chat about Cheltenham’s Trials Day.

I asked Matt on his thoughts on the day, he told me: “The headlines were rightly grabbed by Alan King, whose 122.75/1 treble courtesy of Smad Place, Annacotty and Yanworth confined Willie Mullins to a rare afternoon in the glorious midwinter shade.

“But if the likes of the first and last of King’s Cheltenham treble, and Colin Tizzard’s super staying hurdler, Thistlecrack, screamed their Festival credentials, others whispered their intent in altogether more subtle tones.”

With an air of mystery and trickery, I deduced that Matt had spotted a couple of horses with March, rather than the last Saturday in January, in mind.

Matt continued “Consider that in the last three years, 20 horses went to post at 20/1 or shorter for a Festival handicap having been 20/1 or shorter on their prior run on Trials Day. Their finishing record in the Festival handicaps was P52177P54P7P71173160.

“Although that may not look fantastic on first sighting, it is worth noting the following: The four winners (20% strike rate) were worth a profit of 30 points at starting price, having been achieved at odds of 16/1, 11/1 twice and 8/1.

“The additional three placed horses (35% place strike rate) meant a profit of 34.12 points betting each way. No fewer than 15 of the 20 horses (75%) finished in the top seven in races where the average field size was 23.1.”

The winning quartet were Irish Cavalier, The Druids Nephew, Lac Fontana and Rajdhani Express; and it may be especially worth noting that the first and last of those ran in the novices’ handicap chases both on Trials Day and on the opening day of the Festival.

So it’s over to Matt for his five to follow at the Cheltenham Festival, that ran ‘poorly’ on trials day.

Un Temps Pour Tout

This lad was sent off 3/1 favourite for the novices’ handicap chase, and he ran an, erm, eye-catching race when a never nearer 17 length fourth. He’s rated 152 so that discounts the 0-140 novices’ handicap chase that closes the Tuesday Festival card; but a couple of pounds lower would set him up very nicely for a tilt at the Festival Handicap Chase (3m1f).

He was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles in France as recently as last summer and is rated 163 in that sphere. A perch close to a stone lower over fences looks mightily attractive come Festival time, should connections opt for the handicap route.

Even if they went for the RSA, he only has a few pounds to find on hurdle ratings, which might make the current 33/1 tempting (though, personally, I’d wait for NRNB if you like the look of that).

Rezorbi

In the same race, Jonjo O’Neill was giving this former French racer his first sight of UK fences, let alone Cheltenham’s stiff obstacles. Given a very quiet waiting ride, Rezorbi was creeping into contention when unshipping at the second last.

It looked a nasty fall but, if none the worse for it, this young fellow - only just turned five - looks a credible contender for the Novices’ Handicap Chase off anything close to his Saturday mark of 138. It is hard to foresee the handicapper nudging him up, or indeed down, after a run where promise readily outpointed performance on the day.

Johns Spirit

Another Jonjo jobber, Johns Spirit was second in the 2014 Paddy Power Gold Cup (having won it the year before), sixth in the King George of the same year, and fifth in last year’s Ryanair Chase. Those last two runs were off a mark of 160, and the nine year old was lining up off just 148 on Saturday.

With a known dislike of heavy ground, it is perhaps odd that his last two runs have been on the seriously sodden stuff. Perhaps odd, but probably not, because he’s likely to get dropped at least three for this never nearer plugging on fourth. A rating of 145 would render him eligible for the Kim Muir, though that three-and-a-quarter mile trip is probably on the long side.

More likely is a tilt at the Brown Advisory Plate, in which he’d race off close to 11 stone. He’s quoted for the Plate and the Ryanair, but you surely don’t spend all year managing your mark to run in a level weights Grade 1. As such, the 25/1 available for the Plate looks a gift, albeit one without a refund policy should he fail to line up.

The Young Master

The Cleeve Hurdle is a strange place for a good handicap chaser to show up, on the face of it at least. And yet it is the exact same hole that The Druids Nephew assumed prior to his decisive day one win in last year’s Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase.

TDN ran a well beaten fifth of six in the 2015 Cleeve, having already secured a chase mark with which connections were happy. TYM ran a well beaten sixth, and at 25/1 too. So, while he doesn’t quite fit the blueprint, he probably has some potential from a handicap chase mark of around 148.

He ran in the RSA Chase last year, and was found out, but back to handicap company - probably in the same race The Druids Nephew won - and on slightly better ground, The Young Master could show a good bit more interest. A general quote of 20/1 for the race reflects that view.

Frodon

There was a lot to like about both the winner and second - Solstice Star and Cheltenian - performances here, but both revealed themselves still further to the ‘capper with their ready ease on the eye.

Back in third was the one to take from the race, as Paul Nicholls’ former French inmate made a taking UK debut off a rating of 138. Frodon travelled like the winner through the race before blowing up as though in need of this and, as a four year old, he’ll have the Fred Winter - for which he’s currently 25/1, the same price as the same trainer’s similarly ex-French Fred Winter winner last year - as his target.

As well as Qualando, the aforementioned Fred Winter winner, Nicholls also bagged the Coral Cup with another ex-French recruit, Aux Ptit Soins, in 2015. Therein lies an emerging blueprint within a blueprint, and 25/1 may again be worth the chance, despite an alternative entry in the Triumph Hurdle and the lack of the non-runner no bet safety net.

I would like to take this opportunity to write about the state of our third world road between Driffield and Bridlington.

I am talking about the A614, which in parts is a total disgrace.

Surely council officers must go out and inspect the highways on a regular basis. If they do they should have seen the disaster area that is the roundabout at Nafferton. It has more holes and pits than some battlefields.

All along the 12-mile stretch there are potholes that could easily send a cyclist flying or do serious damage to a car’s suspension. Come on council, get into action.

Mr B Johnson

Driffield

Yorkshire Vikings will wear their traditional colours of navy blue, light blue and yellow for the 2016 season after the club revealed its new kit for the NatWest T20 Blast competition, which gets underway at the end of May.

The shirt, designed by kit supplier Puma, features the logo of major partners Mazars on the front and includes the brand of Wensleydale Creamery on the back of the predominantly navy shirt.

After a number of seasons moving away from the traditional colour palette a return to the true fabric of Yorkshire, will be a major hit with supporters around the world.

Modelled by Yorkshire white ball captain Alex Lees, the new shirt combines performance and design, and draws sweat away from the skin and helps keep athletes dry and comfortable during play.

“The new kit looks outstanding,” said Vikings captain Alex Lees.

“With the return to a traditional look and feel, our supporters will love it. I can’t wait to lead the team out this summer wearing a smart looking kit. I’m sure it will be a major success and will sell well.”

Meanwhile, Yorkshire will wear a new cream shirt for the County Championship season. The shirt will be worn for the first time when the defending Champions take on the MCC in Abu Dhabi on March 20 in the four-day Champion County match.

Both shirts are available in store at Headingley Cricket Ground or online at www.yorkshireccc.com/shop now.

To view the club's promotional video, visit www.yorkshireccc.com/fabric

The singing jockey punched the air in celebration as the 18-1 outsider charged to the line at Musselburgh and then attempted a Frankie Dettori-style flying dismount in the winner’s enclosure and then, without much prompting from TV presenter Derek Thompson, serenaded racegoers with a rendition of Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions’ while his face was still caked in mud.

You can’t hold back,” the 35-year-old journeyman jockey said.

After all, this was a horse – trained by the rider’s permit-holding father Peter on the family’s farm at Little Houghton between Barnsley and Doncaster – taking on top-class two-mile steeplechasers from some of the best National Hunt yards in the country.

And then there is the jockey’s unlikely rise to prominence. Without a winner to his name, he gave up the sport in 1996 and spent several years singing on the cruise ships – his mum Lynn runs the Goldstar Entertainment agency in Barnsley – before returning to these shores.

His first winner under rules came in 2002 at Brighton on Aflame before this stalwart of Yorkshire point-to-pointing switched to the jumps where he has accrued eight victories in seven seasons.

This latest success, his third of 2015-16, was a new personal best for Winks. And two of these have come on Chestnut Ben at Musselburgh (the horse also won the Kilmany Cup at the same venue last month).

“A man with nothing to lose always wins,” says Winks, who was brought back down to earth yesterday as he mucked and rode out on the family’s farm in between torrential rain showers.

“This is unreal. England and Ireland are home to the best jumps racing in the world. You’ve got to take on the top trainers – the challenge is doing so with horses that don’t cost loads.

“It’s Scotland’s Champion Chase and we’ve won, I can’t believe it. As we set off, I thought they’d gone off a bit too quick on that ground. I was never going to win that way so I kept the horse happy and made my move as the pace-setters came back to him.

“He jumps well and galloped all the way up the straight. I punched the air and shouted out a couple of words that I can’t repeat.

“This was a race with nearly £13,000 to the winner.

“Dad got the horse through a friend and it just shows what we can do. The horse will stay in training and go back to Scotland for the Kilany Cup and Champion Chase next year. National Hunt racing needs entertainers.

“Everyone loves entertainers – look at Alex Higgins in snooker, for instance – and it was just about enjoying the moment and having lots and lots of fun.

“If you were to ask me if I’d rather sing at Wembley in front of thousands of people, or do what I did with Chestnut Ben, I’d take winning at Musselburgh all day long, without a shadow of a doubt.”

Even though Simon Cowell has not yet been on the telephone with a contract for the next series of The X-factor, the rider’s father is anxiously waiting for the telephone call from the BHA that will allow him to take out a full training licence.

Winks Snr trains seven or eight horses at present, but is keen to expand.

“This win means the world to a stable like ours,” he said.

Wakanda could take in the BetBright Chase at Kempton later this month before heading to Aintree in the spring.

High Eldwick trainer Sue Smith felt the heavy ground at Cheltenham proved his downfall in the Cotswold Chase after he was pulled up two fences from home. The seven-year-old, who had previously rattled off three big wins on the spin, will not head to the Cheltenham Festival, but a trip to Aintree is a “definite possibility”.

Are you in the photograph?

They are pupils at Sledmere C of E Primary School in the Wolds, and this photo was taken in the run-up to Christmas back in December 1998.

The youngsters, who would now be in their mid-20s, look like they’ve bought presents for a member of the school staff. Are you in the photograph or can you remember it being taken? Get in touch and share your memories.

The East Yorkshire branch of the Leeds United Supporters Club are running a coach to the match against Middlesbrough on Monday night.

The bus will leave Bridlington at 5pm, picking up at Queensgate, Northern Dairies and West Hill, before collecting more fans from Driffield (5.25pm), Market Weighton (5.45pm) and South Cave (6pm).

The price is £12 return for adult members and £7 for under-16s.

The club runs trips to all Leeds home games in the league and cup.

Contact Leon for information on membership and bookings on 07790 834037

Five things to do this half-term

1. Head to Sewerby Hall on Monday to enjoy family archery, 10am-noon, and a Wildlife Warrior session at 1pm. Book at the Welcome Centre for warrior session.

2. Take a look at RSPB Bempton Cliffs’ family activities. Get stuck in fun nature activities such as making a memory wand, spotting garden birds, and arts and crafts.

3. Visit The Deep as it investigates the animals who use, create, and play with bubbles. See the daily dive show at 2pm and Lagoon of Light feeds at noon, 2pm and 4pm.

4. A Seashore Scavenger Hunt will be held at Living Seas Centre, Flamborough, on Tuesday. The session between 1pm and 3pm costs £5 or £3 for YWT members.

5. The East Riding College Junior Chef Academy is at the Beverley campus in Armstrong Way tomorrow. The cost £70. To reserve a place, call 0345 120 0044.

Racing pundit Tony McCormick from.irishbigracetrends.com presents his weekly column. This week Tony looks at the art of landing a gamble, well sort of...

Legendary author Dick Francis passed away at the age of 89 in February 2010. His final novel, written, as with his previous two books, with his son Felix, was called Even Money. In the novel, released in September 2009, 30 juvenile delinquents are given strict instructions to go into different betting shops and place £200 win bets on an outsider called Cricket Hero, who duly obliges, exactly five minutes before the race starts.

Fast forward to June 2010 on a summery evening in Kilbeggan and the 7pm race, a 16-runner, three-mile handicap hurdle. Favourite, the Michael Hourigan-trained Dizzy Rascal finished second at 7/2, a good seven lengths behind easy winner, D Four Dave.

A day later, it emerged that D Four Dave was the subject of a meticulously-planned coup, masterminded by part-owner Douglas Taylor, managing director of Dublin-based recruitment company MCR. It was revealed that MCR paid 200 people to each place €200 they were given on D Four Dave, five minutes before the off, as in the book, with detailed instructions issued to each in a letter.

The orders read, Dear Employee, enclosed you will find: A completed betting slip for the betting shop that you have been sent to. €200 in cash for which you need to place the bet. You should also have a watch with an alarm set to go off at 6.55pm.

“You need to be at the counter before the alarm goes off to be in position to hand over the betting slip and say to the person at the counter “I will take the price”. The coup was due to land its organisers at least €200,000.

The vast majority of the 200 individuals were immigrants as Taylor wanted to minimise the risk of information leaking out. Each were given a watch, with the alarm set to go off exactly five minutes before the race. The six-year-old, had been available at 14/1 on the morning of the race, before being backed into an opening show of 7/1 on course, eventually going off and winning at 5/1.

Unfortunately, the plan went somewhat awry, when some of the foreign nationals failed to carry out the instructions with the military precision that was intended.

A number of the unlikely gamblers were said to be unable to read the instructions on the note, others said the alarm on their watches failed to go off, while other attempted to place the €200 on D Four Dave after the race had concluded.

Taylor, though, was upbeat and the coup was said to have landed the gang around €150,000.

At the same time on the evening of the Kilbeggan Coup, around 200 guests were beginning to assemble at a memorial service for Dick Francis held at St Martin-in-the-fields.

Teenage shot-putter Shaun Kerry saved his best for last in the Northern Indoor Championships, his final throw earning him a gold medal.

The 14-year-old Driffield School pupil, who is a keen thrower and sprinter, focused on the shot in the event at Sheffield, at the English Institute of Sport.

Proud mum Andrea said: “The shot was the only throwing event he could compete in and he chose not to sprint at this meeting.

“He threw consistently and was second until the final throw when he pulled out all the stops to throw a massive 12.40 metres personal best, with his previous best mark with the same weight being 11.66m.

“It was a tough competition on which Shaun can build on in the the future, he is currently ranked third in the UK for shot.”

He took up athletics two years ago, initially getting involved due to his older sister Sian being a keen hurdler.

Shaun had to go along to her training sessions and decided to get involved in the action rather than standing and simply watching.

“He is improving year on year with his throwing and running, although Shaun enjoys sprint events (100 and 200 metres) in competitions, due to his age he can only compete in three events and favours throws, javelin, shot and hammer,” Andrea added.

“He does tend to make up the 4 x 100 metres relay teams, however.”

Shaun enjoyed a fantastic 2015, medalling in many events, some of which were national meetings, and also attending English Schools competitions.

“This year he has set his sights on not only attending English Schools but medalling there too,” Andrea continued.

“The only problem being he will have to make a choice as to which discipline he chooses as you can only compete in one.

“Sunday was a great start to what Shaun hopes will be another successful year.

“He is supported greatly by his fantastic coaches and is also getting additional support from Wolds Way Gym but he is very driven personally.”

“I am very proud as Shaun trains really hard in all weathers right through the winter.

“He puts his all into everything he does so it’s lovely to see him do well. He really deserves it.”

Driffield RUFC’s director of rugby Patrick Burdass is backing his players to beat North One East leaders Doncaster Phoenix on Saturday.

The South Yorksire side have lost just once in 18 league outings this season, but Driffield are in top form of late, claiming wins in each of their last five matches.

“Phoenix away is as hard as it gets in this league, but I’m expecting us to go there and beat them,” Burdass told the Driffield Times & Post.

“There is plenty of confidence in the camp at the moment, we’ve won five in a row and we’re at pretty much full-strength for the match.

“This sort of challenge is exactly what we need to see how just far we’ve come and the lads are really looking forward to it.”

Driffield RUFC under-15s lost out in a close encounter at local rivals Pocklington, going down by a 31-19 scoreline.

Despite the defeat, coach Sam Beachell was pleased with this side’s performance.

“The effort and commitment was excellent,” he said.

“One or two decisions went against us but the lads’ resilience was great and they did not stop working.”

Driffield started the game well and registered the first score of the day.

A kick for touch back into Pocklington’s half gave the young Woldsmen an opportunity to attack the home side’s lineout.

They managed to win the ball and move it out to Morrison who barged through the defence and offloaded to Cowell who went over the line, Morrison converting for 7-0.

The game evened up slightly and Pocklington levelled things up with a converted try of their own, attacking down the left wing before splitting the Driffield defence with a quickly -moved ball.

Bouncing straight back, the away side again showed the power that they have in their pack, some excellent running from their forwards taking them over the gain line.

Their confidence going forward proved too much for the hosts to cope with and one speedy attack ended in a surge towards the line by the Driffield pack and a try for Wilson, duly converted by Morrison.

Just before the interval, Pocklington moved the ball into the Driffield half, and after a period of sustained pressure, they forced their way over for a converted try for 14-14.

Both teams came out in the second half looking positive and trying to take control of the game.

Driffield had an early scrum which was taken against the head by the home forwards and the ball was moved swiftly to the right wing for a touchdown which gave Pocklington the lead at 19-14.

Some ill-discipline crept into the game as tempers flared between the local rivals, but generally both sides managed to play some good rugby and the next score of the game went the way of Driffield.

They built an attack through their forwards, working the ball into the opposition’s 22, and Morrison burst through to power over for a try, again levelling the score at 19-19.

With the game seemingly heading towards a draw, a Pocklington defender intercepted the ball when Driffield were mounting a promising attack, and the turnover in possession led to a try.

Another followed soon afterwards when the visitors failed to tidy up after a high kick was launched into their 22 and a Pocklington man touched down to seal his side’s victory.

Man of the match: Ewan Willingham.