GREEN GREEN DESERT RETIRED Classy chaser Green Green Desert, who was due to run at Ascot tomorrow, has been retired after sustaining a leg injury during routine work at Paul Nicholls`s Somerset yard. The enigmatic gelding had earned himself something of a reputation over the years with trainers such as Sir Michael Stoute in his Flat racing days and Oliver Sherwood over jumps as he seemed to have a mind of his own. But a move to Nicholls saw him become a reformed character when carrying the colours of owners Bill and Angela Tincknell to many successes over fences. Nicholls said today: 'Unfortunately Green Green Desert injured a leg yesterday and has been retired. It`s a shame because he had seemed in good form at the moment and was due to go to Ascot tomorrow. 'He`s been such a good servant to Bill and Angela, winning so many races since they bought him, that they have decided to give him a good home at their stud.' The 10-year-old won 10 races in all - one maiden on the Flat, two hurdle races and seven chases -amassing a total of stg£98,758 in prize money. His last race was in a two-mile handicap chase at Cheltenham in November in which he finished sixth to Wave Rock.
