LORD TRANSCEND, responsible for starting Graham and Andrea Wylie's multi-million pound interest in racing, has been retired after sustaining a ligament injury in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

The Howard Johnson-trained grey went off the hot 8-11 favourite, but was pulled up before the jumping the final fence in the high-profile three-mile contest and subsequently found to be lame.

Lord Transcend won six of his 11 outings, collecting nearly £95,000 in the process, plus giving the Wylie's their first success when he scored at Newcastle in the spring of 2002.

"The decision will please my wife as it was always a worry when he ran. He's a horse with very fragile legs and will now be based with us at home," said Wylie.

* Paul Nicholls was in unstoppable form at his local track Wincanton as he recorded a sensational 1,776-1 six-timer - with five being partnered by Ruby Walsh.

Raffaello got the duo off to a perfect start with victory in division one of the Connaught ''National Hunt'' Novices' Hurdle and although Ballez failed in the following race, the team never looked back.

And the sextet was particularly sweet for the Ditcheat handler, who holds a huge lead over Martin Pipe in the trainers' title race, as it included his 100th winner of the season through Almost Broke in the feature Connaught Cup.

''It's a big day, and also to win the Connaught Cup is great because we are sponsored by Connaught. Ruby gave him a masterly ride and it is just a great team effort from everyone,'' Nicholls said.

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