Fell and Muir running and riding case delayed as new panel is demanded

Roger Fell and Paula Muir will have to wait until the new year for the conclusion of their running and riding inquiry after it was deemed on Friday that a new disciplinary panel would be required to hear the case.

The hearing around the performance of La Trinidad in October, referred to the BHA head office by Newcastle stewards, initially took place before former judge Philip Curl, Chloe Fairley and Jenny Pitman before it was adjourned to allow further evidence to be gathered.

However, Grand National-winning trainer Pitman was not present on the panel on Friday, with her absence queried by Muir's solicitor Rory Mac Neice as to whether it had anything to do with the inquiry.

Curl conceded Pitman not sitting on the panel "had something to do with the case", prompting a number of discussions between the parties which lasted over an hour.

Following conversations between the panel, Mac Neice, Roderick Moore, representing Fell, and Lyn Williams for the BHA, the hearing was postponed to an unset date next month.

Curl said: "The disciplinary panel adjourned today's hearing in respect Ms Muir and Mr Fell. It will be reheard sometime in the new year before a fresh panel.

"This case remains sub judice. No one please talk to anyone else about this until the hearing has taken place in front of a fresh panel."

La Trinidad was suspended for 40 days after the Newcastle stewards found Fell and Muir to have "intentionally failed to ensure that their horse ran on its merits" when he finished sixth, beaten eight and three-quarter lengths at 50-1 in a median auction maiden.

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