Racing: Race-fixing probe includes Flat races

POLICE INVESTIGATIONS into allegations of race-fixing and doping now include two races on the Flat. The Flat jockey Ray Cochrane has revealed he was questioned about racing in his sphere by detectives at Charing Cross police station after his arrest - along with the jump jockey Graham Bradley and the former jump trainer Charlie Brooks - last Friday.

"They asked me questions about a couple of races on the Flat which were run two or three years ago," he said. "I can't reveal which races and my solicitor has instructed me not to say any more about the matter."

Cochrane, bailed until 10 March along with Bradley and Brooks, returned to action at Southwell yesterday. Reflecting further on his arrest in a dawn raid, he said: "It's a shock to be woken by someone knocking at your door at 7am to arrest you. It was pretty horrendous really, although they were quite nice about it. It does your brain in. It sets things going in your head and you just can't relax."

Meanwhile, jockeys who break the whip rules in major races from 1 March could be hit with a lengthy ban. The offending rider will be referred to the Jockey Club's Disciplinary Committee rather than be suspended by the local stewards.

If the Disciplinary Committee also finds that the rules have been broken it will suspend the jockey for a minimum of 10 days. The races which will warrant an automatic referral to the Disciplinary Committee are all Group One and Grade One races, Flat races with a prize fund of pounds 140,000 or over and jump races with a prize fund of pounds 80,000 or over. Christopher Spence, Senior Steward of the Jockey Club, said: "There new measures demonstrate we remain committed to setting new standards aimed at safeguarding the welfare of the horse."

n Today's card at Leicester has been lost to the weather and the meeting at Newcastle is subject to a 7.45am inspection. There is still frost and snow on the track.