On 25 and 26 February the Disciplinary Panel of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will meet to consider charges against licensed trainer Jim Best and conditional jockey Paul John (currently unlicensed), as follows:

Jim Best

1. Whether Jim Best committed a breach of Rule (C)45 of the Rules of Racing concerning the running and riding of ECHO BRAVA in the J H Builders Novices’ Hurdle at Plumpton on 14 December 2015, as a result of the rider intentionally failing to ensure that the horse was run on its merits?

2. Whether Jim Best committed a breach of Rule (C)45 of the Rules of Racing concerning the running and riding of MISSILE MAN (IRE) in the Totepool Betting On All UK Racing Maiden Hurdle Race at Towcester on 17 December 2015, as a result of the rider intentionally failing to ensure that the horse was run on its merits?

3. Is Jim Best in breach of Rule (A)30 of the Rules of Racing in connection with the running and riding of ECHO BRAVA at Plumpton on 14 December 2015 and/or MISSILE MAN at Towcester on 17 December 2015?

Rule (A)30 prohibits a person from acting in any manner which the Authority considers to be prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing in Great Britain.

Paul John

1. Whether Paul John committed a breach of Rule (B)59.2 of the Rules of Racing concerning the running and riding of ECHO BRAVA in the J H Builders Novices’ Hurdle at Plumpton on 14 December 2015, in that Mr John intentionally failed to ensure that the horse was run on its merits?

2. Whether Paul John committed a breach of Rule (B)59.2  of the Rules of Racing concerning the running and riding of MISSILE MAN (IRE) in the Totepool Betting On All UK Racing Maiden Hurdle Race at Towcester on 17 December 2015, in that Mr John intentionally failed to ensure that the horse was run on its merits?

Notes to Editors:

1. The Panel for the hearing will be: Matthew Lohn (Chair), Roger Bellamy and Ian Stark

2. Paul John will be represented by Rory Mac Neice

Jim Best will be represented by Jonathan Laidlaw QC with Christopher Stewart-Moore acting as Instructing Solicitor.

The BHA will be represented by Graeme McPherson QC

3. Regarding the running of ECHO BRAVA at Plumpton on 14 December 2015, the Plumpton Stewards originally found Paul John in breach of Rule (B)59.4 and guilty of failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure the horse was run on its merits. They suspended him for 14 days.

Following further consideration this charge has been amended to (B)59.2 relating to intentionally failing to ensure that the horse was run on its merits, and consequently trainer Jim Best has been charged with a breach of Rule (C)45 for the same race.

4. Guideline penalties for the Rules in question are as follows:

(C)45 
Duty to secure the best possible placing (trainer)
The range applied depends on the finding by the Panel as to the circumstances, and the full table can be found on page 10 and 11 of the Guide to Procedures and Penalties.

(A)30
Conduct prejudicial to horseracing in Great Britain
Entry point: £2,000 or suspend / withdraw / disqualify 3 months
Range: £1,000 – £15,000 or 1 month – 3 years

(B)59.2 
Failure to run a horse on its merits (jockey)
The range applied depends on the finding by the Panel as to the circumstances, and the full table can be found on page 10 and 11 of the Guide to Procedures and Penalties.