Winston waits on ‘no case to answer’ verdict
Winston was present for the opening of the two-day hearing in London yesterday but was absent today when both sides closed their submissions.
However, a decision will not be made until later this week.
“Counsel for Robert Winston has now completed their submission of “no case to answer” and the counsel for the HRA has responded,” said HRA public relations officer Owen Byrne in a statement.
“The disciplinary panel, chaired by Tim Charlton QC, has now left to deliberate. Its decision is likely to be given later this week.”
If successful, Winston would be excused from the HRA disciplinary committee’s main hearing, due to start on January 10, concerning fellow jockeys Robbie Fitzpatrick, Fran Ferris and former rider Luke Fletcher, plus five Betfair account holders.
The charges relate to a security department investigation centred on 37 races between June 16, 2003 and February 29, 2004.
Meanwhile Ballymore Properties are to succeed Royal & SunAlliance as sponsors of the Grade One novices’ hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The race, to be run on the second day of the meeting (Wednesday, March 14) will have a record prize fund of £120,000, an increase of 20% on last year.
As well as supporting the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle, the urban development and regeneration company is extending its commitment to jump racing by supporting a series of Pattern novice hurdle races which lead up to the Festival.
The five other premier contests that now carry their banner are the Ballymore Ontario Tower Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow, which has already been run, the Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown on December 2, the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury on December 29, the Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick on January 13 and the Classic Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 27.
Ballymore Properties was founded by leading racehorse owner Sean Mulryan, whose colours have been carried by such smart performers as Forget The Past, Mid Dancer and Linda’s Lad.
