Racing: Chapple-Hyam off the mark in Hong Kong

PETER CHAPPLE-HYAM, who was forced to leave the luxurious Manton training complex last month when sacked by Robert Sangster, had his first success as a trainer in Hong Kong when Lyphard's Lad won at Sha Tin yesterday.

Chapple-Hyam, who has taken over from the suspended Patrick Biancone, had saddled 18 losers since his arrival in the former colony last month. However, Lyphard's Lad, ridden by the Frenchman Eric Legrix, ended his wait when easily justifying 5-2 favouritism in the one mile handicap.

A delighted Chapple-Hyam said: "It is great to get that first winner behind us. The training environment is totally different here but we have been learning on a day-to-day basis."

A busy day for the Jockey Club's Disciplinary Committee at Portman Square today will see the jockey Andrew Thornton and the trainer Saeed bin Suroor paying a visit to the Jockey Club's central London headquarters.

Suroor faces an inquiry into a positive sample given by Royal Line after the colt won the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket on 7 July. The committee will seek to establish whether bin Suroor has committed a breach of the rule concerning the horse's medication record.

Thornton will find out whether he must suffer a lengthy suspension for his ride on Stormy Passage in Saturday's Murphy's Gold Cup.

The Cheltenham stewards adjudged Thornton to have used his whip with excessive force aboard the Philip Hobbs-trained gelding who was beaten a neck by The Outback Way.