PNicholls

I have just had to renew my jumps licence, so I thought I would take the opportunity to apply for a dual purpose licence for the first time.

I have only ever had a jumps-only licence, but this now gives me the opportunity to run some horses on the Flat - perhaps the likes of the Royal Ascot Racing Club's Advisor in the spring, and some horses in staying Flat races.

I also had another first this week as I went up to London in person for an appeal about the running and riding of Robin Will at Cheltenham on December 10, which saw Nick Scholfield originally get 10 days for failing to obtain the best possible placing on the horse.

We were there from 10:00 to 15:30 - solicitor Rory MacNiece also represented Nick - and I must admit I was very impressed with the professional and thorough manner of proceedings.

Unlike the Cheltenham stewards, the panel had the chance to see Robin Will's previous outings, and Nick's 10 day ban was quashed.

Robin Will is a very delicate horse, and it was good to see that they acknowledged such.

So we not only came away pleased, but not surprised, for Nick, but also impressed by the whole process.

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