Racing: More time needed for Hillside inquiry

A disciplinary hearing into the running of the Alan Berry-trained Hillside Girl at Carlisle last year will not now be concluded this week. Berry and three others have been at the headquarters of the Jockey Club since Monday morning to answer charges relating to the race.

A disciplinary hearing into the running of the Alan Berry-trained Hillside Girl at Carlisle last year will not now be concluded this week. Berry and three others have been at the headquarters of the Jockey Club since Monday morning to answer charges relating to the race.

Three days had been set aside for the hearing, which also concerns jockey Paul Bradley, blacksmith Steve O'Sullivan and amateur rider Dale Jewett. The hearing is set to continue as scheduled today, but all parties will then have to reconvene at a later date. It is understood the sheer weight of evidence, put forward by barristers representing the various parties has caused the problem.

The race in question was on 15 June last year, in which Hillside Girl drifted markedly in the betting before being pulled up lame before halfway by Bradley.

Among the charges the panel are considering are whether Berry, Bradley and O'Sullivan are "guilty of or conspired with each other for the commission of a corrupt or fraudulent practice in relation to racing". O'Sullivan, a large-stakes punter on betting exchanges, and Jewett, are both charged with having "hindered or obstructed" a Jockey Club investigating officer.