Racing: Jockeys' corruption hearing underway

The jockeys Robert Winston, Robbie Fitzpatrick, Fran Ferris and Luke Fletcher were all in attendance as their hearing at the Horseracing Regulatory Authority began yesterday. The four are accused of providing information for reward, or passing information that would subsequently be used for corrupt gain that was not in the public domain. Five unlicensed individuals also face charges. None attended the first day of the inquiry, scheduled to last 10 days.

In a separate investigation Anthony Ramsden, the son of former trainer Lynda Ramsden, and Robert Owen, two non-registered owners, have been charged by the HRA as the Mickmacmagoole affair rumbles on.

Ramsden is charged with laying Mickmacmagoole to lose through his Betfair account prior to the gelding's run at Wolverhampton in December, 2005, a race the horse won under Ramsden's brother-in-law, Jamie Spencer. Owen is also accused of breaking the same rule.

* Saturday's card at Warwick and Sunday's Carlisle fixture are threatened by waterlogging. The tracks will inspect tomorrow.