Micky's Cup finale

After ten years in the saddle and 11 more training, Micky Hammond waves goodbye to racing after Heidi III tackles Sandown's Whitbread Gold Cup this Saturday.

"Training horses is a 24-seven job that gives you little freedom to do your own thing. I'm hands-on to such an extent I've felt imprisoned in my own yard. At this stage in my life and now that I am single once again, I feel I want to have a go at something else," Hammond said.

Reflecting on his sporting achievements, the 38-year-old handler highlighted 24 February 1996 when he trained six winners in a day and his 1986 Scottish Grand National triumph riding Hardy Lad. "Even some of the very best trainers haven't achieved a sixtimer and Hardy Lad's win launched my career on the northern circuit," Hammond said.

Andy Crook, head man at Hammond's Oakwood Stables in Middleham since he started up in 1990, was yesterday granted a full training licence by the Jockey Club and assumes command as of next Monday.

He plans to lease the yard with a view to buying within the year. But first Hammond hopes to record one of the biggest training successes of his career in Saturday's National Hunt season finale. He has never before saddled a runner in the Whitbread, nor even rode in the race as a jockey.

"We're stepping into the unknown regarding the trip, but Heidi III stays three miles very well and handles all ground," he said.

"I'll be running four or five at Market Rasen the same day, so my stable jockey Brian Harding will go there. I'm hoping Dean Gallagher, who won the Great Yorkshire Chase on Heidi III, will ride him again at Sandown."