THE Jockey Club inquiry into the "Haydock 21 jockeys' strike" is due to continue into a second day after nearly eight hours of evidence was heard in London yesterday.

Frankie Dettori was one of 11 riders to appear before the Jockey Club's Disciplinary Committee as it began a full investigation into the action that led to the abandonment of the October 16th meeting. The Italian and reigning champion Pat Eddery could face fines or suspensions if found guilty of breaking the rules of racing.

Dettori, portrayed as one of the ringleaders, jetted in from Dubai especially to give his version of the events that resulted in the fixture being halted after just one race. He was one of 21 jockeys due to ride in the Sycamore Nursery Handicap which never took place after the riders expressed their concerns about the safety of the ground.

Yesterday's hearing, before a three-man panel headed by Christopher Hall, a solicitor, sought to establish whether or not the jockeys had committed breaches of the rules by failing to ride.

But the Jockey Club stressed that stewards and officials attending the meeting as well as the clerk of the course and racecourse executive could possibly face censure too.

While the hearing continues the Jockey Club advised riders involved not to offer any comments on its progress. Jockeys Association secretary Michael Caulfield said: "I'm involved in the inquiry and can't say a thing."

But Kieren Fallon, one of 10 riders excused giving evidence, claimed the Haydock affair was not "a strike" and was caused by a breakdown in communications between stewards and jockeys.

A deputation of officials and senior jockeys walked the course to cheek on conditions between the first and second races.

"It was up to the stewards to call the jockeys back in again and have a debate over whether they should race or not, but they never did that," he said between riding engagements at Wolverhampton.

"They just came in and said racing was abandoned. Before the second race the weighing room was full and it was chaos. Nobody knew whether there was going to be racing or not.

"Half the jockeys said it was too bad, other jockeys wanted to go ahead. But the top and bottom of it was that it wasn't a strike or anything like that.

"I had two good rides Dato Star, who loves soft ground, and Be Warned, another who loves soft ground, and if they had gone ahead I would definitely have rodeo"

Evidence was heard from stewards secretaries Paul Barton and William Nunneley as well as jockeys Walter Swinburn and Willie Ryan and trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam, who each attended as witnesses.

The inquiry is expected to be concluded today when the panel will also advise on future policy in cases when there are doubts about the safety of the course.

Jockey Club Director of Public Affairs, David Pipe, said: "This is not a simple black and white issue, as has been portrayed in some areas. It was a complicated afternoon.

"We said from the beginning that every aspect leading up to the abandonment would be examined and if correct procedures have not been followed the panel are likely to make recommendations to strengthen or change the procedure.

"The jockeys have been calling for a wider inquiry into all that went on and I want to make it clear that that is what this is. If the panel wish to censure any official or steward it will be recommended in their judgement.

"Jockeys face fines or suspension while any officials will be dealt with in a different way.

"Paul Barton is an employee of the Jockey Club and would be dealt with in an employer-employee disciplinary way.

"The stewards panel is appointed by the Disciplinary Committee and is answerable to them, the clerk of the course is licensed by the Jockey Club and would have to face a disciplinary inquiry, as is the racecourse executive who would also face an inquiry."

Of the other 21 jockeys involved Gary Bardwell, Mark Birch, Nicky Carlisle, Gary Carter, George Duffield, Dean McKeown, Darren Moffatt, Jimmy Quinn and Michael Tebbutt attended yesterday.

As he left the inquiry for his London hotel, Dettori said: "I'm coming back tomorrow. I have no comment to make as usual."

His weighing-room colleague McKeown said: "We're only halfway through. There are still six more of us to give evidence tomorrow.

McKeown, Bardwell and Tebbut all have booked rides at Lingfield today and hope to fulfil those commitments.

Caulfield added: "It's a confidential inquiry. We're only halfway through so we really cannot say anything but it will definitely finish tomorrow."