West Yorkshire Police have today confirmed the remains recovered from the River Aire in Leeds last Sunday are those of missing racing commentator Doug Fraser.

Fraser, 54, was reported missing after failing to turn up to work at Hexham on Saturday, June 5.

Police searches of CCTV images showed him leaving his city centre flat at 02:00 the previous morning.

The father-of-two's failure to arrive at the Northumberland track immediately prompted concerned 

Fraser, full name George Douglas Fraser, leaves his separated wife  and two daughters.

He began  his racing career with the Extel blower service in 1979.

He went on to become well known across the sport through his racecourse, betting shop, TV and radio work and was renown for his adenoidal Scottish accent .

His voice was familiar on the racing circuit in the North and was first choice commentator at Hexham, as well as being a regular at Sedgefield, Newcastle and the Scottish tracks.

He also worked for ICS in Leeds who  provide off-TV commentaries for SIS, William Hill Radio and others.

An inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned on Monday.

Our thoughts and condolences got out to Doug’s family and friends. RIP

Fifteen times champion jockey Tony McCoy has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

The award, seven years after receiving an MBE, comes following him finally winning the Grand National at the 15th attempt aboard Don’t Push It.

With a wry smile McCoy commented, "It's a great honour for me and it means I'm improving I suppose.

"To get a step up in anything means you're improving and that's always nice and at least I'm moving forward.

"It's nice to get recognition from someone like the Queen as it doesn't come from much higher than that.''

Harry Findlay, joint-owner of 2008 Gold Cup winner Denman, has been warned off for six months in connection with laying his own horse, Gullible Gordon, on two occasions.

He was charged by the BHA last month and told of the news on Friday morning.

Horses registered in his mother's name, Margaret Findlay, are also unable to race while she remains owner or part-owner during her son's disqualification period.

Findlay's disqualification period begins today.

Findlay says  he will contest the decision, but claims his days of owning racehorses in Britain are now over.

Speaking after being given the news on Friday morning Findlay said: "I'm not going to shout and scream at anyone - I'm a heartbroken man.

"I've admitted my guilt and I couldn't be more expressive about it.

"The rules are now much stricter and any ban should be 18 months. I thank the panel for deliberating as long as they could to give me as shorter term as they could.

"I will obviously appeal it, I doubt if I will win the appeal.

"Win or lose the appeal, I will never own horses in Britain again."

The BHA accepts there was no corrupt motive behind Findlay's actions but insists he is technically in breach of the rules which must be enforced.

Police in Leeds, searching for missing commentator Doug Fraser, have found a body in the River Aire in the City centre.

Fraser who wad been missing since June 4th lived in a flat backing onto the river.

The alarm was raised when Fraser failed to turn up for commentating duties at Hexham on June 5th and the alarm was raised by concerned colleagues.

Police began searching the river last Tuesday after CCTV pictures showed him leaving is flat at 02:00 on Friday with no further sightings.

Fraser (54) was separated from his wife and had two daughters.

With no further clues as to the whereabouts of missing commentator Doug Fraser, Hexham racecourse are expected to make an appeal for any information on his whereabouts at their next meeting on Saturday.

Fraser is the first choice commentator for the Northumberland track and it was his failure to arrive to call last weekends meeting that first raised the alarm.

He was due to commentate at this Saturday’s meeting where his place will be taken by Iain MacKenzie.

He was also due to commentate at Doncaster on Sunday and John Hunt will step in there.

Police have had no further success in attempting to trace Fraser, who was last sighted on CCTV leaving his Leeds city centre flat at 02:00 last Friday morning.

Police are continuing to scour CCTV footage for any further sightings and police divers are continuing to search the River Aire which backs onto Frasers flat.

Fraser (54) is described as being white, around 6ft tall, of medium build, with green eyes and a bald head with receding black-grey hair at the sides. He has a Scottish accent.

Anybody with any information on Frasers whereabouts are asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060606

Eight people have been charged by the BHA over the running of Sabre Light at Lingfield in December 2008.

Those charged include trainer Jeff Pearce , jockey Jerry O'Dwyer and former Classic-winning trainer Geoff Huffer. The latter is accused of being the horses de-facto owner.

The five other individuals to have been charged are Gary Banham, Mark Benton, Peter Root, Sharon Williams and Fran O'Brien.

It is alleged that rather than Sabre Light ran to lose, rather than run to gain best advantage.

In addition Pearce is also charged for concealing Sabre Light's true ownership, failing to reveal to the BHA the existence of a second mobile phone when interviewed, and for passing on inside information to Huffer.

Huffer faces charges of similar breaches as well as laying him to lose and for misleading the BHA.

The pair could face suspension or exclusion from racing from six months to 10 years.

O'Dwyer is charged with a breach of Rule 157 - intentionally failing to ensure Sabre Light ran on his merits.

Banham, Benton, Root and Williams face charges of being involved with laying or instructing to lay Sabre Light while O'Brien is alleged to have held himself out as the owner.

There is mounting concern over the wellbeing of racecourse commentator Doug Fraser.

Fraser a stalwart of the northern racing circuit, and noted for his nasal inflection, failed to turn up to commentate at Hexham on Saturday afternoon.

Concerned colleagues contacted the police, who broke into Frasers flat in Leeds. They found no trace of Fraser despite his car being parked outside the flat.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said they are treating his disappearance as a missing persons investigation.

Fraser (54) is described as being white, around 6ft tall, of medium build, with green eyes and a bald head with receding black-grey hair at the sides.

He lives in central Leeds and speaks with a Scottish accent.

A police spokesman said: "Officers have been carrying out numerous inquiries over the weekend to trace Mr Fraser and are becoming increasing concerned for his welfare as he has not been missing before."

The search intensified on Tuesday as members of West Yorkshire Police's underwater search unit have begun searching a stretch of river overlooked by the city centre block of flats where Fraser lived.

The last confirmed sighting of Fraser was on CCTV leaving the building at around 2am on Friday morning.

A police spokesman said: "I can confirm that we are currently searching the River Aire in and around the city centre."

Anybody with information of Frasers whereabouts should contact West Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060606

Snow Fairy was supplemented for The Oaks after an impressive run at Goodwood last month and it turned out to be an inspired decision as the filly gave trainer Ed Dunlop his second Oaks win and jockey Ryan Moore his first Classic success.

Akdarena set out in front, bidding to become the first runner to win the Oaks wearing headgear.

Marie De Medici and Gertrude Bell settled behind the leader, with Champangelifestyle and favourite Aviate in next rank.

There was little change in the order up front until the field swung for home, at which point both remember when and Meeznah came with challenges.

Meeznah hit the front and it looked as though there may be a 25/1 shock, however Moore weaved his way through the field, to take up the running with an inspired ride, to record a neck victory.

Winning jockey Ryan Moore said, "It was a very rough race. We just decided to take her back and give her a chance. There was a lot of bumping around.

"The gaps opened up nicely and she quickened well.

"The pace slackened up in the middle part of the race and allowed us to stay the trip."

Meeznah was an impressive second, with Irish raider Remember When third.

Winning trainer Ed Dunlop said, "Thank you to the owner for supplementing her and I thought Ryan gave her a most amazing ride.

"It's Ryan's first Classic winner, so it's a great day.

"We had doubts about staying, but we knew she was very tough and that she can quicken.

"It's an amazing day to win two Oaks, and thanks to my staff for doing a fantastic job. I'm very happy."