BHA reveals seven more cases are now in the spotlight

As many as seven disciplinary cases could be reopened after they were identified by a leading QC as being potentially unsound due to the involvement of solicitor Matthew Lohn, who for more than two years was being paid to advise the BHA while also sitting as a supposedly independent member of the sport's disciplinary panels.

Lohn's involvement as the chairman of the disciplinary panel that found Jim Best guilty of non-trier charges has already resulted in that conviction being quashed and a rehearing ordered, and yesterday an appeal board looking into the conviction of trainer Paul Gilligan also sent that case for a rehearing.

However, while Best was reimbursed for his costs in all disciplinary hearings up to and including his appeal, the BHA has only been ordered to repay Gilligan's appeal costs. The authority, which offered a comprehensive apology to Best at his appeal hearing, has also apologised to Gilligan, who was originally banned for six months for sending a horse to race at Uttoxeter who had previously competed at an unrecognised meeting in Ireland.