New setback for Osborne

Trainer Jamie Osborne has suffered the blow of losing his best horse, Irony, following the decision by its owners to remove the colt from his Upper Lambourn stables.

The former top jump jockey saddled Irony to win last season's Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, but now the grey has been switched to Ian Balding's yard at Kingsclere, Berkshire.

Osborne is still waiting to learn if he will face Jockey Club disciplinary action after being targeted by undercover filming in the BBC television programme Kenyon Confronts. But Irony's owners, Andrew Nicholls and Alan Mobley, stressed that their decision to change trainers was nothing to do with the investigative documentary.

A letter from Nicholson to Osborne said: "We have come to this decision because we feel the horse needs a change of scenery and have consequently agreed to send him to Ian Balding's yard. Irony has been good for all of us and, while you will be disappointed, please remember what good he has done for your reputation as a first class trainer. We would certainly consider putting a horse with you in future, which demonstrates our faith in you, and this decision has nothing to do with any 'press'."

Irony has not won in four runs this term and on his return last month to the scene of his greatest triumph at the Royal meeting, he finished 13th of 15 in the Jersey Stakes .

Osborne is not the only Lambourn handler to lose a good horse recently. Ever Blessed, the steeplechaser who gave Mark Pitman his first major success when winning the 1999 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, is to be transferred to Philip Hobbs.