oops. i saw Thompson mentioned and presumed Dan even though it was spelt Thomsen

I don't understand the silence. If Cookie has been to a doctor & been signed off work with a mental health issue, can they not just admit that? Would that not be a good way of letting all men know "it's ok to ask for help / it's ok not to be ok / mental health is nothing to help ashamed of" if Cookie doesn't want his issues made public, Berwick could simply say "Cook has a doctor's note & isn't fit to ride" I imagine that basic information isn't breaching any confidentiality laws? If I tell my work I'm unable to come in because of stress / anxiety / depression then that's acceptable, if I just didn't turn up then I'm breaking the rules. If Cook has simply not replied to any of Berwick's attempts to contact him, then I don't get why they haven't admitted that (and shifts the blame away from then). Missing the Pairs wasn't breaking any rules (Lawson missed the meeting too) so unless he has a meeting abroad (like Klindt) you'd assume he should get a 28 day ban for "withholding his services" now.  

Dan Thompson was already in the line-up at number 11

But he did injure another rider

Dan Thompson is in i believe

I was under the impression it was a flat fee all round, don't know if that is correct or has changed. Having watched the re-run of the final, Riss rode sensibly, even though he didn't need the win, it wasn't like he tried a crazy pass that could've cost Redcar the title.