Spoils Shared In Merit Race

Connections of Royal Shakespeare and Monkerhostin will share the £200,000 top prize for the British Horseracing Board Order Of Merit after deciding against a Saturday showdown.

The pair were expected to clash in the betfred Celebration Chase, with Royal Shakespeare making his fencing bow in an attempt to hold on to his narrow lead in the overall standings.

Steve Gollings' charge and Monkerhostin had already bagged £50,000 each for claiming the top hurdler and chaser awards respectively but the latter could have taken the title if he finished fifth or better at the weekend.

Lincolnshire-based Gollings said: 'From my point of view, I never intended for the horse to run.

'My owner instructed me to put him in the race but we then had a long chat about it over the weekend and decided not to enter.

'The horse is fine, absolutely 100%, but John Webb and I have decided to rough the horse off now and give him a thoroughly deserved break.

'He's done us proud this year and the welfare of the horse always comes first.'

Royal Shakespeare has scored 87 points this season, two more than Monkerhostin, after a string of creditable performances in top-class company.

Monkerhostin is also set for a relaxing spell away from the track following a campaign that has seen him finish second in the King George VI Chase and sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Despite being entered for the Grade Two contest, trainer Philip Hobbs ruled the nine-year-old out of the race.

'The owners have come to an agreement and the staff from both yards will now be rewarded,' he said.

'It really came down to the fact we didn't want to run Monkerhostin again as he has had a long, hard season and deserves a rest.'

BHB marketing director Chris John underlined the horses' well-being was the top priority and praised the decision to put their welfare first.

He said: 'The first thing to say is that the result is not yet official and will not be until Saturday.

'As it stands, Royal Shakespeare will be the top hurdler and Monkerhostin the top chaser, with Royal Shakespeare the overall champion.

'We would award the £200,000 to the winning connections and it is then up to them what they do with their money ? we are obviously not privy to any discussions about that.

'The welfare of the horses is paramount to everyone in racing and if they have come to a sporting decision, it should absolutely be applauded.'

? PA Sport