Jockeys face January hearing

Jockeys Robert Winston, Fran Ferris, Robbie Fitzpatrick and Luke Fletcher are set to face a Horseracing Regulatory Authority hearing in January.

The four were charged with “the passing of information for reward and aiding the commission of a corrupt practice” last month following a HRA investigation.

Former licensed bookmaker Ian Nicholl and four other unlicensed individuals were also charged in relation to 37 races that took place between June 2003 and February 2004.

A directions hearing at the HRA has pinpointed a date of January 10 for the substantive hearing to begin and it is estimated to last 10 days.

A hearing of an application by Winston that he has no case to answer has been scheduled for November 20 and 21, while the HRA have also set aside December 7 for a pre-enquiry hearing, if it is needed.