Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Geoff Hubbard today handed his licence to assistant Chris Kinane due to failing health.
The 82-year-old's successor will have his first runner tomorrow when Bali Strong tackles the Stay All Day Handicap Hurdle at Kempton.
Kinane, 43-year-old brother of top Irish jockey Michael, has been assistant at Worlingworth Hall, Woodbridge in Suffolk for four years.
Explaining the move, he said: 'It stems from Mr Hubbard's failing health. He's 82 years old and has been very poorly for some time, and he's not been able to go racing for a while.
'He's decided to put things in order and the Jockey Club have been extremely helpful.
'Nothing will really change as I have been running the job for the last four years with Mr Hubbard in an advisory capacity but that is not realistic any more - it is a rotten way to start training.'
Hubbard won the Mildmay Of Flete Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in 1987 with Gee-A and also sent out Strong Promise to finish second in the Gold Cup in 1998 - on top of numerous wins as an owner with Josh Gifford and Ferdy Murphy.
The latter missed last season and has yet to sparkle this term but Kinane is hoping the top-of-the-ground specialist will return to form when the going turns in his favour.
'Strong Promise is in great shape,' he said. 'I have just forfeited him from the Hennessy at Leopardstown as I spoke to them this morning and it is yielding, with more rain to come.
'He will be put in the AON Chase at Newbury and is already in what used to be the Comet Chase at Ascot and we will see where we go.'
Kinane does not expect to wait too long for his first winner.
He said: 'I am not sure whether Bali Strong will win tomorrow but I am fairly confident we will have a winner this week - I hope we have got one lined up.'
