Jocks not all midgets

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL-winning amateur Robbie McNamara will join the professional ranks this weekend, in a surprise move given his height.

The 26-year-old, who won last season's Weatherbys Champion Bumper on Silver Concorde, has struggled with weight due to his 6ft 3in frame, but feels it is now under the best control it has ever been.

He has signed with agent Alan Donoghue and is expecting to be in action at Gowran on Saturday with his new licence approved on Thursday.

He said: "I would have turned professional four or five years ago if my weight would have allowed me, but I have worked hard on that, especially in the last six months, and have finally got it down. It's good now and I applied for my professional licence during the week and just got the go-ahead.

"I should have three or four rides this weekend, certainly on Saturday."

McNamara, whose lowest riding weight in the last 12 months has been 11st 5lb, also won the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Spring Heeled and has ridden 146 winners on the Flat and over jumps as an amateur.

A big lad
Lester was no shorty (the long fellow)

I think I shall also apply for a licence