Trainer's bid to change disciplinary panel line-up refused

An objection by Jim Best's legal team to the make-up of the panel that will conduct the rehearing of the BHA's non-trier case against the trainer has been refused.

Sir William Gage, the chairman of the disciplinary panel put together for the BHA inquiry, ruled that William Norris QC and Nicholas Wachman would not be replaced.

Best had applied to have both panel 'wingers' removed for the rehearing which is set to take place on November 21 after the result of the first inquiry was quashed following the revelation that Matthew Lohn, chairman of the panel that handed Best a four-year ban earlier this year, had performed paid work for the BHA, raising the perception of bias.