News Robbie in the care of jumping great Mary Reveley

Robbie in the care of jumping great Mary Reveley

racing

Mary Reveley may have retired from training in 2004 but at the age of 75 has not given up altogether and is still involved in the point-to-point and hunter-chasing scene.

Based at Saltburn in Cleveland, she saddled more than 2,000 winners in a 22-year career before handing over the reins to her son, Keith.

He has now given her Robbie to train for point-to-points and hunter chases from the family's stables.

The 12-year-old was a close second in a point-to-point last month and is set to have another go on Sunday at Duncombe Park in Yorkshire.

"He's gone point-to-pointing and hunter chasing and my mother has a couple of boxes on the other side of the yard," said Keith Reveley.

"He'll probably come back to me at some point, but while he's point-to-pointing and hunter chasing she'll be training him.

"He was entered in a hunter chase at Market Rasen but he's running instead in a point-to-point at Duncombe Park on Sunday.

"He finished second in a point-to-point at Sheriff Hutton a few weeks ago and ran really well.

"He was only just beaten and the ground was very soft. He's a good-ground horse.

"The old horse is in great form, but he's 12 years old. He's rated 144 and just wasn't good enough to win off that mark. Going point-to-pointing and hunter chasing gives him other options.

"He's enjoying life and it seems a good thing for him.

"He could well come back under Rules at some point maybe for one of those veterans' chases but they are nearly all over three miles and his best trip is two and a half.

"They ought to have three or four over the shorter trip to give older horses like him a chance."