Tory MP Matthew Hancock learns to be a jockey in charity bid
By Tim Montgomerie
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Matthew Hancock, MP for West Suffolk, and pictured above has to lose twenty pounds over the next ten weeks as part of his bid to take part in a 'Horsemen and Heroes' charity race at Newmarket race course in his constituency.
The diet is only a small part of an intensive training programme that will culminate in a full assessment of his jockey-ing abilities on 18th June at the British Racing School.
In a press release Matt Hancock commented:
“I have long thought that taking part in a cavalry charge would be the most exhilarating thing possible. The Newmarket Cavalry Charge isn't quite the Battle of Omdurman, but it is a thrilling prospect for two fantastic charities. As the MP for Newmarket the international home of horseracing, and I am delighted to have the rare chance to actually race on the famous July Course. I don't know if I'll be more stretched by the prospect of shedding 20 pounds or by learning how to handle a racehorse, but I’ll be putting in a lot of hard work over the next 10 weeks to make sure I do both. I would encourage everyone to come along, and to give generously to both these fantastic charities, which do such important work.”
If you'd like to support Matt's efforts to raise money for Racing Welfare and the Household Cavalry Operational Casulties Fund please click here.
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