[Silvoir]

Thanks guys – I’ll address those concerns with the stewards in the morning (as per my blog) and report back. They were happy with Casey’s effort but I’ll get a race read done and also ask them about Aachen’s withdrawal – the official reason given was ‘Going’.

[Silvoir]

Latest news from the blog:

13.51 – Stewards Room Update

The Stewards will be enquiring into the use of the whip on the winner and on Cousin Vinny.

There appeared to be a couple of hits dropping onto Go Native’s saddle cloth (which is the incorrect place – the whip should be landing on the horse’s quarters) and Paddy Mullins used his whip four times in quick succession without giving Cousin Vinny time to respond.

Neither are serious offences and definitely on the minor infringement scale.

[Silvoir]

Roddy – I’ve passed that on to Cheltenham. If I get chance I will try and hunt you down in the Mandarin.

[Silvoir]

Thanks Ethan. In the extremely unlikely event of a couple of big priced winners the blog will probably cease rather dramatically, given that I’ll be writing it from the Media Centre near the Guinness Village!

[Silvoir]

Legitimate questions Pru that I am unable to answer at the present, as I’m sure you understand.

[Silvoir]

The BHA additionally have power to withdraw or suspend a licence or permit if in their opinion: 1. such action is considered necessary in the interests of racing pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation or process (whether or not undertaken by the BHA); or 2. any other good cause is shown.

If having been found guilty of corrupt practices on several different occasions previously is not “good cause” to “withdraw or suspend a licence or permit” – rather than to allow the individual concerned to continue to have access to the means by which he could engage in such corruption – then I would like to know what is.

Justice needs not only to be fair but timely. Heads should roll that this has been dragged out in this manner and that racing has had to suffer still further, imo.

Pru

Rule 2(viii) states that “Where the BHA make any decision against which there is a right of appeal under Appendix J paragraph 13(b) to these Orders and Rules it shall take effect as follows:-
(a) a decision to withdraw or suspend a licence or permit for a period of 3 months or more or to declare a person a Disqualified Person shall take effect on the day after the announcement of the decision unless and subject to such conditions as the HRA or the Appeal Board shall otherwise direct.”

In basic terms, the disqualification (‘warning-off’) should commence the day after the decision unless otherwise stated. In this instance, the Disciplinary Panel specifically stated that the penalities would not kick in until 7 days after they had received the reasons for the penalties.

The Disciplinary Panel has been set up to be what is ultimately an independent tribunal, in this particular instance chaired by a QC, ensuring that we are not, and cannot legitimately be accused of being, prosecution, jury and judge.

I appreciate your frustrations but we – the BHA – have to respect the Panel’s decision. However, following events at Southwell today acted as swiftly as we legitimately could.

I hope this goes someway to explaining.

Paul

[Silvoir]

Just to confirm the Group 2 Lowther, for 2yo fillies, has also been saved and will be run at Newmarket on Saturday.

[Silvoir]

Wednesday 20th August 2008, for immediate release

York Races to be Transferred
• All Group 1 races saved, as well as the Ebor and at least two Group 2s

Following the abandonment of the remainder of York’s Ebor Meeting, the British Horseracing Authority has approved the transfer of the following races:

• The Darley Yorkshire Oaks, Coolmore Nunthorpe and DBS St Leger Sales Stakes will be run at Newmarket on Friday 22nd August.

• The Totesport Ebor Handicap, renamed for one year only as the Totesport Newburgh Handicap, will be run at Newbury on Friday 22nd August.

• The Juddmonte International Stakes will be run at Newmarket on Saturday 23rd August.

Efforts are also being made to save the Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes.

The existing racecards at the above meetings will be subject to changes in running order. Racetimes and further details will follow later on this evening.

For more information please contact Paul Struthers, Media Relations Manager, on 0207 189 3862 or 07966 590105.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

Prior to the abandonment of the whole meeting, the following running orders had been agreed for the Thursday and Friday:

Thursday 21 August
1:15 THE WEATHERBYS INSURANCE LONSDALE CUP (Group 2)
1:45 THE JAGUAR CARS LOWTHER STAKES (Group 2)
2:15 THE LADBROKES GREAT VOLTIGEUR STAKES (Group 2)
2:50 THE DARLEY YORKSHIRE OAKS (Group 1)
3:25 THE DBS £300000 ST LEGER YEARLING STAKES (Class 2)
4:05 THE ADDLESHAW GODDARD STAKES (Class 2 Heritage Handicap)
4:40 THE EUROPEAN BREEDERS’ FUND GALTRES STAKES (Listed Race)
5:10 THE EVENTMASTERS STAKES (Class 2 Handicap)

Friday 22 August
1:15 THE SKY BET STRENSALL STAKES (Group 3)
1:45 THE newitts.com CITY OF YORK STAKES (Listed Race)
2:15 THE JUDDMONTE INTERNATIONAL STAKES (Group 1)
2:50 THE COOLMORE NUNTHORPE STAKES (Group 1)
3:25 THE totesport EBOR (Class 2 Heritage Handicap)
4:05 THE SKY BET MELROSE STAKES (Class 2 Heritage Handicap)
4:40 THE newitts.com CONVIVIAL MAIDEN STAKES (Class 2)
5:10 THE COLLINGWOOD TEAM SERVICE KNAVESMIRE STAKES (Class 2 Handicap)

[Silvoir]

Dear Glenn

I’m really not lying to you.

You might just want to take the time to look at the Fixture List Review in the Information Base section of Inside Racing on our website and look what happens to Levy generation when there are 16 or more runners (page 15).

Kind regards

Paul

[Author]

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