A FORMER professional jockey has turned his attention to making sure things run smoothly on the track for other runners.

Tim Reed has been appointed as trainee clerk of the course at Sedgefield racecourse.

As a jockey, Mr Reed rode 380 winners in addition to 40 as an amateur.

He has been training point-to-point and hunter chase racehorses in the region for more than eight years and is attached to the Northern Racing College in Yorkshire as a jockey coach.

He lives in Northumberland and joined Northern Racing, which owns the racecourse, in March.

During his training, he will work under the guidance of the racecourse’s current clerk of the course Charlie Moore, who is also responsible for clerking at Uttoxeter racecourse.

The role of course clerks includes ensuring the track and stables are kept in good condition and owners and jockeys are kept informed about the state of the turf.