Barring the shrill outrage of a few dissenters who cannot possibly have read the detailed, damning background, reaction to the punishments handed out to Nicky Henderson on Friday was largely approving. The disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority faces a harder job establishing its wisdom in the case of Fergal Lynch.

Judgments against Lynch and fellow jockey Darren Williams, in a complex case emanating from the collapsed Old Bailey trial of last year, are expected to be made public today. Williams, though, has already leaked the fact that he has been banned for three months and that Lynch has been fined £50,000.

If this turns out to be true, it is outrageous. Williams is guilty of passing information but Lynch has admitted to stopping at least one horse. It seems that a dubious plea bargain, in which he pledges not to ride in this country for 12 months, allows Lynch to blithely continue his revived career in America. Britain would be throwing its dirty washing in a neighbour's garden.

Karl Burke, who awaits his fate in the same case, enhanced his finest season when saddling Lord Shanakill to win the group one Prix Jean Prat yesterday. Henderson, meanwhile, has left for a Scottish holiday and Caracciola must be trained for the Goodwood Cup by his neighbour, Barry Hills.