OpinionChris Cook
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I'm happy for Callum Shepherd - but this week's appeal verdict raises big questions over racing's rules

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Racing Writer of the Year
Callum Shepherd and Thorntonledale Max are clearly in front in the closing stages of the 7f handicap
Callum Shepherd and Thorntonledale Max were caught for a dead-heat in this recent race at KemptonCredit: Racing TV

How much did the BHA want to repel Callum Shepherd's appeal this week? Quite a bit, I would say, judging from the fact they hired the barrister Louis Weston to present their case.

I claim no expertise in legal matters, but I can recognise a big gun when one is wheeled on to the battlefield. Weston has spent 30 years in his line of work and is very successful, having won awards in the arena of sports law. 

The BHA has usually tended to be quite well supplied with lawyers and I was expecting to see its excellent Charlotte Davison articulating the reasons why the ruling of the Kempton stewards should be allowed to stand. Perhaps she's on holiday. Even lawyers need to grab a bit of sun before jump racing takes over again. 

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Published on inChris Cook

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