Pipe faces Celtic inquiry

Champion trainer Martin Pipe and jockey Jamie Moore will appear before the the disciplinary panel of the Jockey Club tomorrow regarding the improved form shown by Celtic Son.

The inquiry surrounds the running and riding of the six-year-old at Exeter on October 19 last year.

On that occasion he finished fifth to Salsalino, beaten six lengths, in the Gerrard Novices’ Hurdle when a 10-1 chance on his second start over timber.

The panel will consider whether the trainer breached the rule regarding giving the rider such instructions necessary to ensure the horse ran on his merits.

Moore, last season’s champion conditional rider, will have to face the charge of whether he intentionally failed to ensure that the horse ran on his merits.

Celtic Son has now won five of his last six starts and it was only after his first victory on January 3 that his earlier performances were reviewed.

Tomorrow’s hearing will be open to the press and all seats are now taken. It is scheduled to get underway at 10.30am.