Racing: Cecil retires Bosra Sham -`a Christian and a good friend'

Henry Cecil yesterday paid rich tribute to Bosra Sham, who has been retired because of the recurrence of a foot problem. "She was always frustrating but she was a brilliant filly and was better than ever this year," Cecil said. "She looked fantastic but every time the crunch came we came up against a problem.

"She hasn't been easy to train - before she won the Guineas she was lame, and three days before the Champion - but she had a lot of guts. She was a super filly, a Christian and a good friend."

Another on the injured list is Yorkie George, who only on Tuesday was well backed for the Tote Festival Handicap at Ascot on Saturday. He suffered a serious bone injury on the Newmarket gallops yesterday morning and will miss the race.

In Ireland, Dorans Pride was a smooth winner of yesterday's pounds 50,000 Kerry National at Listowel. Richard Dunwoody was so impressed with last year's Gold Cup third that he intends to make himself available for the horse at Cheltenham in March.

"I understand the owner of One Man has said his horse won't run again in the Gold Cup," Dunwoody said. "Presuming Dorans Pride gets there in one piece, obviously I would love to ride him."