RACING: Johnny Murtagh's appeal against the three-day suspension imposed on him by the Lingfield stewards will be heard at the Jockey Club at 9.15am next Wednesday.
The rider was given the ban on Tuesday for careless riding and it is due to start on Vodafone Derby Day, June 4th.
Murtagh is booked to ride the ante-post favourite Motivator in the premier Classic, although Darryll Holland has been pencilled in should his appeal be unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Channel 4's request for a substantial financial subsidy to continue their coverage of British racing has been rejected by the industry.
Members of the racing and betting communities met at the British Horseracing Board headquarters in Shaftesbury Avenue, London, on Thursday to consider Channel 4's desire for around £8 million to ensure the continued broadcast of racing on the channel into 2006.
A joint statement issued yesterday said: "In view of the extent of the subsidy requested and the precedent such action would set it was unanimously agreed not to meet Channel 4's request."
