Straight talker who shoots from the hip

It will surprise many that Grand National and Gold Cup-winning trainer Jenny Pitman has sought to be involved in the disciplinary process after such a long absence. More than 18 years have passed since she handed over her famous Weathercock House stables to her son Mark, and she has just turned 71, so is already past the age at which local stewards are required to stand down.

However, nobody should question Mrs P's passion for the sport, the depth of her knowledge, or the value that her common sense approach to life can bring to proceedings.

Renowned throughout her career as a no-nonsense sort of person, who held forthright opinions and shot from the hip, she has no doubt mellowed since she struck Jamie Osborne, then a jockey, at Ayr one day because he tightened up a horse of hers.

With her sharp brain and clear sense of right and wrong one imagines she will quickly see through some of the less convincing arguments. But will she have the patience to hold her tongue through the often tedious hours of back and forth and the endless replays that disciplinary hearings regularly entail?