Mogford riding Marsam at Ludlow last year

Cotswold-based jockey Jodie Mogford says freelance riders are suffering financially with the current lack of National Hunt jump racing.

Mogford, who is based at Moreton-in-Marsh, hasn't ridden since the Boxing Day meeting at Huntingdon.

He told BBC Gloucestershire: "The thaw could take another week. The forecast isn't great and it's not just the snow because tracks are frozen underneath."

"It could be a while before we can race again," Mogford added.

Freelance riders receive £134 per race under national hunt rules, and Mogford has had just over 50 rides so far this season.

But he says even when the sport returns to a full schedule, jockeys in his position may have to be patient.

"The top trainers like Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, Philip Hobbs and David Pipe have got so many more horses that the likelihood is that their horses will get into races when others won't."

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