Clark back in racing as Crowley's assistant.

TONY CLARK, who won the 1989 Juddmonte International on Ile De Chypre and rode more than 800 winners before retiring in 2004, has returned to the sport as assistant trainer to Jo Crowley at Whitcombe stables in Dorset, writes Graham Green.

Clark (pictured), 47, who for the past three years has been employed by synthetic-surface manufacturer McCardles, said yesterday: "Obviously I'm very pleased to be back in racing, because it is what I know best."

With Clark at her shoulder, Crowley, who has been operating for just over two years from Whitcombe, where she has a string of 23, is planning to be busy at Newmarket this week and next as she looks to increase numbers at the establishment owned by Liz Nelson.

Clark, who enjoyed a long association with Guy Harwood as a jockey, is hoping this will be the start of a similarly successful working relationship with Crowley, who is a former assistant to Gay Kelleway, and Lingfield stables manager.

Clark said: "It is a fantastic place to train and we are basically looking in the next couple of years to have 100-plus horses. I'll be riding out every day, and helping with all sides of the job."