Race-fixing inquiry begins

THE disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Regulatory Authority will begin the inquiry involving jockeys Robert Winston and Robbie Fitzpatrick this morning.

Along with former licensed jockeys Luke Fletcher and Fran Ferris, former bookmaker Ian Nicholls and four other unlicensed individuals, the HRA panel must consider whether Winston and Fitzpatrick have breached the Rules of Racing in relation to 37 races.

The hearing is scheduled to last 10 days but the accused can expect to wait beyond that as the panel is likely to require time to consider the verdicts.