The bombshell decision by the Northern Irishman will see him leave the Carluke yard owned by Gordon McDowall on July 1 to transfer to a similar role at Alan Dickman's yard in Thirsk.

"Frustration is the biggest emotion I'm feeling about having to make this decision," said Noel, who trained at Flaxton in North Yorkshire for three years before replacing Ian Semple at Belstane on December 1.

"I'm quite sad about leaving, because the people around here are very nice and the facilities at Belstane are great.

"The main reason is that owners from Yorkshire haven't been able to back me the way they thought because of the travelling costs.

"There is too much uncertainty about Belstane.

"I had hoped to have 60 horses here, but unfortunately a lot of them were injured so we went down in numbers very quickly.

"We have drawn a few extra owners, but not enough to keep the place going."

For more information on this article, see this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.