Brian Hughes has been banned for three days and James Ewart faces a fine
There were strange scenes late in the day at Carlisle as jockey Brian Hughes has been banned for three days and trainer James Ewart faces a £750 fine after they were underweight after winning the last race of the day.
These are reduced punishments, with the original ban for Hughes being five days, and Ewart looking at a fine double the cost, at £1,500.
It is not entirely clear why the ban and fine have both been reduced, with no details from the stewards' report available.
Bingo D’Olivate won very easily in the 17:00 at Carlisle but was disqualified after weighing in light. It seems unusual that Brian Hughes has been given a ban, which suggests the BHA are taking the incident seriously.
The punishment would suggest this is no laughing matter and there could be further repercussions as more details of the story come to light. There was a lengthy delay in the weighing room as the issue became apparent.
It was the smiles for the pair as the horse cantered home and plenty thought will have thought he was simply a very well handicapped horse. However, with the news coming to light he was underweight there are some sinister questions that need answering.
This news mean the jockey title race opens up again.
Brian Hughes was becoming a runaway leader in the Jockey Championship with 127 winners, with Richard Johnson currently side-lined with injury on 111.
However, this could revive Johnson’s challenge if he can get back in the saddle quickly.
