Crime & Safety
Geri Horner’s horse to run at Bicester with Whaddon Chase
Cartesien, owned by Geri Horner and her husband, former racing driver Christian Horner, will compete in the Edgcote Gold Cup Mixed Open at the Bicester with Whaddon Chase Hunt Point-to-Point on April 12.
The race takes place at Edgcote Racecourse, near Banbury.
Maxine Filby, who trains Cartesien from the Horners’ stables at Marston St Lawrence, said: “We decided to run him at Edgcote as it is so local. They did a really good job with the ground last year.
“We still don’t know what we have got. He could have been flattered at Guilsborough.
“I would be thrilled if he runs a good race and comes back in one piece.”
The six-year-old gelding made a winning start in the UK last month at Guilsborough, ridden by Gina Andrews.
He will line up in the Edgcote Gold Cup Mixed Open, sponsored by Spratt Endicott.
Sixty-two entries have been received for the six-race card, with Clerk of the Course Graham Tawell confirming that watering will be undertaken as needed to ensure good ground.
Other races of interest include the Tattersalls Cheltenham, GB Pointing Bonus, Young Horse Maiden Series Four & Five Year Old Race over 2m 5f, which features a promising line-up of young horses.
Francesca Poste is set to debut Rum N Reggae, with husband Charlie Poste optimistic about the horse’s chances.
Mr Poste said: “His schooling and work has been good.
“He is by an exciting young sire in Crystal Ocean, so it’s fingers crossed.”
Last year’s meeting saw emotional scenes after Glancing Hill’s maiden win, just days after the passing of owner Bridget Gatehouse.
Charlie Poste said: “We lost Bridget, the vet who owned him, a year ago today (Tuesday).
“She hunted him all year with the Bicester, so it would be quite poignant if he runs there and wins that race.”
The event offers a full day of family entertainment, including a hound parade, dog show, falconry, children’s activities, a bouncy castle, and live music after racing from country singer Paul Adams.
Gates open at 11am. Admission is £15 per person in advance via the Edgcote Races website or £20 on the gate, which includes a racecard. Under-15s go free.
Premium parking in the front two rows is available for £50.
Edgcote Racecourse is located approximately six miles northeast of Banbury, near the A361.
Visitors are advised to exit the M40 at junction 11 and follow the A361 to Wardington before turning right at the Hare & Hounds pub for the most direct route.
Crime & Safety
Tommy Robinson ‘not welcome in Oxford’ after ‘inciting riot’
Oxford Stand Up To Racism has accused Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, of inciting the ‘awful violent scenes’ in Southampton on Tuesday night (June 2).
The city where 18-year-old Henry Nowak died and where his killer, Vickrum Digwa, lived became a scene of destruction after hundreds descended to smash car windows, hurl bricks and cause eleven officers and a police dog to be injured.
READ MORE: New date set for Tommy Robinson appearance in Oxford
Following the disorder, the chief of Hampshire police said those involved were ‘determined to spark fear and division’.
Screen grab taken from a video of police and protestors clashing in Southampton during a protest following the death of Henry Nowak. (Image: Jamie Lashmar/PA Wire)
Yaxley-Lennon, who has been jailed multiple times for a variety of offences including when he was imprisoned in October 2024 for contempt of caught, addressed the crowd at the riot.
He said: “I heard someone say this wasn’t about race, this is about race.
“A white boy who done nothing was handcuffed, a murderer in possession of a knife who stabbed someone five times isn’t.”
Oxford Stand Up to Racism is now renewing its call for the Oxford Union to withdraw its invitation for the ‘riot agitator’ to speak on June 17 on the subject of Islam.
He was originally due to speak at the historic debating society on Thursday, May 28 before his appearance was postponed over security concerns and after massive backlash.
A previous Stand Up to Racism protest in Oxford (Image: Newsquest)
READ MORE: Major emergency response in Oxford as paramedics on scene
Ian McKendrick, a member of the anti-racism group, said: “Despite Henry Nowak’s family clearly requesting that his death should not be used to promote further hatred, Robinson was at the centre of protests in Southampton last night and clearly inciting violence.
“Giving him a televised platform at the Oxford Union legitimises hate and violence, and gives him the opportunity to incite violence to an audience of millions.
“It does not promote free speech – instead, it promotes fear and intimidation among minoritised communities.
“Already we have seen Oxford fascists alongside Robinson in Southampton and now mobilising to bring more hate onto Oxford’s streets.”
Tommy Robinson with protesters outside Southampton police station (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA)
Members of Raise the Colours: Oxfordshire were called to attend the Southampton protest on Tuesday night, with the leader of the group posting on Facebook to ask followers to join the ‘justice for Henry Nowak’ protest.
Mr McKendrick added: “There is a concerted effort by far right leaders and fascist groups to incite outrage and bring people on to the streets to riot.
READ MORE: Traffic chaos in Witney amid report of ‘major incident’
“We risk an explosion of violence similar to what we saw around the Southport murders across the UK.
“We’re calling on Oxford to say a clear ‘no’ to this hate and division by protesting against Yaxley-Lennon’s appearance at the Oxford Union.”
Faith and civic leaders of Oxford already wrote to the Oxford Union asking it to rescind the controversial figure’s invitation, and hundreds have signed an open letter calling for the same.
Crime & Safety
Witney traffic chaos amid report of 'major incident' at junction
A reported incident at a junction in Witney is causing traffic chaos in the town, with drivers coming off the A40 and elsewhere stuck in long queues.
Source link
Crime & Safety
Major emergency response in Oxford as paramedics on scene
An incident occurred in St Aldate’s, outside the entrance to Christ Church Meadows, at about 4pm on Tuesday, June 2.
At least three ambulances were responding to what appeared to be a medical emergency on the pavement.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire footbridge over A-road a collapse risk for years
An individual was scene on a stretcher being cared for by paramedics.
At least three ambulances responded to what appeared to be a medical emergency in St Aldate’s, Oxford (Image: Contributed)
An eyewitness said the incident occurred opposite the Alice Shop, and the medical teams ‘evacuated’ the person.
Apart from the pavement briefly being blocked while the first responders dealt with the emergency, it did not appear to affect traffic or block the road in busy St Aldate’s.
South Central Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoWaitrose supermarkets across UK shut due to ‘critical error’
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoMan arrested in connection with rape in Oxfordshire town
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoBanbury woman jailed after lying to police about kidnapped children
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoHow to spend a day in Harpsden among UK’s poshest villages
-
Oxford Events3 weeks agoStage Watch: Somerset House enters the comedy arena with major new festival Laughterama
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoStrictly Come Dancing new hosts reportedly Emma Willis
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoCBI posts 14% revenue rise as payment services grow
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoUK Hantavirus update as 22 ship passengers moved to hospital
