Williamson rides Ad Hoc Norman Williamson was today confirmed as the rider of Ad Hoc in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.The booking for the Paul Nicholls-trained runner was made after Mick Fitzgerald was unable to take the mount when he lost his appeal against a six-day riding ban.Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden said: 'We are delighted that a jockey of the calibre of Norman Williamson is available to ride Ad Hoc and we are very much looking forward to a big run from the horse now that Marlborough has been ruled out of the race.'It`s very unfortunate for Mick Fitzgerald as he would have ridden Ad Hoc if he had turned over his ban for a riding offence at Cheltenham on appeal but that did not happen. I`m sure Norman will prove an able deputy.'
