Racing: Kieren Fallon will have to wait until later today to hear whether he can resume riding in Britain. The appeal board of the Horseracing Regulatory Authority adjourned Fallon's case last night after hearing submissions from the rider's legal team.
The hearing began as planned at 5pm but after completing the lengthy process, the panel will not announce their verdict until today.
"All submissions relating to Kieren Fallon's appeal have been heard by the appeal board and they adjourned at approximately 9pm this evening, after commencing proceedings at 5pm," said a HRA statement last night.
"The appeal board will consider the submissions and a decision is expected to be announced tomorrow afternoon. Obviously we will issue a statement when this decision is available."
Fallon is hoping to overturn last Friday's decision by the HRA not to allow him to ride in Britain until he stands trial for conspiracy to defraud.
Last week the six-times champion was charged as part of a police investigation into alleged race-fixing. Any trial in the case is not expected to be before spring 2007.
On Friday, a special panel of the HRA made an order prohibiting him from riding in races in Britain "until the conclusion of the trial or further orders".
Licensed by the Irish Turf Club, Fallon is still allowed to ride in other countries and was in action in Ireland yesterday evening, where he was back in the winner's enclosure with a sparkling treble at Naas.
He advertised his skills in fine fashion with a 4.4-1 hat-trick initiated by the David Wachman-trained Flamingo Guitar in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Maiden.
Fallon took up a prominent position on the 4-6 favourite and she kept on well to prevail by a length and three-quarters from Gist.
The rider then added to his tally when delivering Aidan O'Brien's Hitchcock (4-5 favourite) with a perfectly-timed run in the Brophy Farrell Real Estate Alliance Handicap.
Fallon completed his treble when partnering Savannah (4-5 favourite) in the www.tote.ie Maiden.
He produced a typically strong drive aboard the Sadler's Wells colt to also notch a double for O'Brien.
"It's been a great day - just what we needed," Fallon said.