Verdict in BHA hearing expected next week

The wait goes on for the BHA and trainer Jim Best after no decision was reached on Friday in the inquiry into the Lewis trainer for allegedly ordering two horses to be stopped.

A verdict had been expected this week after the five-day rehearing ended a week ago.

The new panel made up of chairman Sir William Gage, a retired Court of Appeal judge, former amateur rider William Norris QC and former Irish Turf Club steward Nicholas Wachman was still deliberating on Friday.

The first hearing ended in March and Best's four-year ban was not announced for 24 days. It was quashed on appeal after panel chairman Matthew Lohn was found to have been employed by the BHA, leading to a perception of bias.