Racing: Royal trainer faces inquiry

LORD HUNTINGDON's hopes of an unruffled exit from the training ranks depend on a Jockey Club inquiry in London today. The Royal trainer, who leaves his stables later this year, is to be questioned, with jockey Daragh O'Donohoe, over Silken Dalliance's run at Newbury on 19 September.

The filly ran 17th of 19 at Newbury. But, ridden by Adrian Nicholls, she won a valuable handicap at Ascot on 27 September and then won for John Reid at Newmarket on Saturday. The Club's disciplinary committee will consider whether the trainer and O'Donohoe breached ``non-triers'' rules and if Lord Huntingdon misled Ascot stewards.

Sir Mark Prescott was fined pounds 1,000 and jockey Colin Nutter banned for seven days under the "non-triers"' rule with Swagger at Newcastle yesterday. Swagger was beaten into seventh place behind the winner, stablemate Triple Dash.