Winston waits on verdict

Robert Winston will have to wait a little longer to hear if he has been successful in his application that he has “no case to answer” in relation to corruption charges brought against him by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority.

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 not expected today and 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.