Racing: Security chief to quiz Smith Eccles

STEVE Smith Eccles is to be formally interviewed today by the head of the Jockey Club's security department, Roger Buffham, about his allegations of corruption in the sport.

The senior jump jockey will be asked about claims he made in a Sunday newspaper concerning horse doping, race fixing and gambling by jockeys. Smith Eccles will be asked to substantiate his allegations or risk the possibility of being charged with bringing racing into disrepute.

Subsequent to the article appearing, Smith Eccles has claimed that the article did not contain anything not already known and that the incidents he described could no longer take place due to improved technology on racecourses.

Also set to meet racing's regulators is James Florey, the racegoer who ran out into the path of the Michael Kinane-ridden Papago in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. He has agreed to attend a hearing of the Jockey Club's disciplinary committee at Portman Square, London, on 7 September.

Florey is not subject to the rules of racing but the disciplinary committee has the power to declare him a disqualified person which would bar him from all British tracks.