Dunne's alleged vile language towards Frost sets grim tone on opening day

It may have been no bad thing day one of Robbie Dunne's hearing in front of the BHA's judicial panel was curtailed. The sport had been bracing itself for something grim. This opening act confirmed that fear to be warranted.

To a degree, the three panel members will have to consider whether they believe what Dunne says or what Bryony Frost says. BHA legal regulatory adviser Tomas Nolan made clear early in proceedings there are "factual issues between the parties as to what happened". However, if what the BHA claims Dunne said is accurate, this case is no less unpleasant than we had anticipated.

As yet, we have not heard Dunne's voice, nor that of Frost, the jockey he is accused of bullying. Perhaps we might by this stage have witnessed Dunne answering questions had it not taken until almost 3.30pm for proceedings to properly begin.