MRWALTER Dennis, a racehorse trainer from Bude who was extremely well-known on the point-to-point circuit as a trasiner and inspector of courses, has died at the age of 69. He had been ill with cancer for some time.

Well-known and well liked in the equine community, he became even more renowned when Coome Hill, ridden by Jamie Osborne, won the best 1996 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury.

One of his three sons, David, had a mount in the last race at the Newton Abbot meeting on Tuesday week. He wore a black armband as a public address announcement told the racing public the sad news.

Mr Dennis trained near Bude, He had been involved with horses all his life and had a fine point-to-point riding career that brought him nearly 70 winners.

Coome Hill also won the Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton.

Mr Dennis leaves a wife, Jill, daughter Lucy and sons David, Tim and Mark.