Hook has had one good season in the 4 he's been in the UK. This season he averaged nearly 2.5 points a meeting in heat 2, and he wouldn't get that opportunity next season. They probably thought he wouldn't continue improving riding in the 1-5.  Foord had ridden half a season in the Championship before 2025 and Zischke clearly has way more potential than Hook. It's rubbish for Hook, but you can easily see why they've done it. 

Yes it’s a shame for the lad and I hope he gets a team place somewhere, but it shows the promotion aren’t afraid to make the hard decisions. If you compare to Etheridge, who is on a lower team building average, he rode in the middle order all season and is proven there. Jye actually averaged 7.82 at home (inc bonus) so proves how already valuable he is riding at No.4.

All I am saying is that the promotion can’t be held to ransom and I believe there was some of this financially and living arrangements.

Just for a bit of fun while we await our last 3 riders. IF Rushen & Cook signed would leave 4.87. Noticed on the 2 POL sites last 2 days that Slater Lightcap - 20yr old American has signed for Falubaz for their U24 squad along with Cairns for 2026. Going to be based in POL. He did some testing in POL in 25 and came over here for a short trip in 2025 doing some practice at Sheffield & Glasgow. Seems rated by Hancock and has improved steadily over the last 2/3 seasons in USA. Not having raced in Europe Lges would assume would be on a GSA of 4. Knowing Middlo normally has accommodation available, maybe not beyond the realm of possibilities maybe  as the likes of Bowes did POL (2 Lges) - Swe & UK in 2025. The POL U24 race normally on Tue. Anyway just a thought and maybe worth above a 4 in the Champ if he is improving.

Think reason Drew not apparently riding for us is due to Berwick being a Saturday track with all his new ventures abroad

Hold on, are you insinuating that Jacob Hook has proved himself out of a space with Workington, the lad who lived in a supporters house all season? Rather than the promotion just deciding to go for Etheridge and Zischke on similar averages, which is of course fine, but it does make a mockery of the sport. If Hook didn’t improve, he’d be signed, just like Zischke, Foord, and I’m sure two of Etheridge, Voulas and Batchelor too.