Toller's intended last runner misses out.

Byline: Graham Green

JAMES TOLLER'S plans to saddle his final runner at Lingfield on Tuesday were thwarted by the type of veterinary problem that illustrates the precarious nature of the career he has pursued for the past 35 years.

A dirty scope prevented Take Note from providing a swansong, meaning Toller finished on a winner following the success of 25-1 chance Demonstration in a Wolverhampton maiden last week.

Toller, who won the Irish 2,000 Guineas in 2004 with Bachelor Duke, is handing in his licence at the end of the season after deciding it is no longer viable to continue with fewer than ten horses and lacking a star performer to attract new owners to the stable.

Toller, 61, instead spent the day at Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale where he was both selling and on the lookout to make a purchase for a former client, and he said: "Unfortunately, Take Note had an infection that needed treating and couldn't run at Lingfield, so that was that," Toller had his most James Toller: bowing out after 35 years when Compton Place won the July Cup and Teapot Row the Royal Lodge.

However, with the number of horses he trains in decline he failed to reach double figures since 2009, and this season managed just two.

Toller said: "I think parts of it were very good and parts of it were probably rather below-par. My strike-rate with runners in Ireland was very good. I used to enjoying going over there and I was lucky enough to have some very good horses, if not enough of them.

"It would have been nice to have one last go at Lingfield, but at least I had a winner with my last runner so that was a nice way to go out."

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James Toller: bowing out after 35 years