HORSE RACING: Kieren Fallon's immediate future as a jockey in British racing will be decided in London this evening, when the Horseracing Regulatory Board's appeal board will decide whether to reverse last Friday's decision to ban him from riding in Britain until he has faced trial on a charge of conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers.

If the Clare man's appeal is allowed, he could be riding Marcus Andronicus in Friday's Group One July Cup at Newmarket. Should it fail, he would face a long struggle in the courts in an attempt to gain approval to ride in the UK.

The three-strong board will comprise chairman Roger Buckley, a former High Court judge; another judge in Christopher Hall, who is a former chairman of the old Jockey Club's disciplinary panel; and Viscount Allendale, also a former member of that panel.

Fallon is not expected to attend; he will be represented by Christopher Stewart-Moore, his solicitor.

The hearing will not convene until 5pm, as a number of the legal representatives involved are required elsewhere earlier, and so the board's verdict is unlikely to be delivered until tomorrow, although an announcement late tonight is possible.

Fallon's contract to ride as Aidan O'Brien's stable jockey, which is in effect his passport to the world of top-level international racing, is also likely to depend on the hearing's outcome.

John Magnier's Coolmore Stud, which is behind O'Brien's Ballydoyle training operation, is perhaps the most commercially minded bloodstock business in the world.

Magnier is personally grateful to Fallon for many big-race victories, and holds his riding talents in the highest regard, but will still want a jockey who is available for all Europe's major events.

Meanwhile, Cheveley Park Stud are hoping to continue their rich vein of form in today's UAE Equestrian And Racing Federation Falmouth Stakes. The Newmarket-based operation have Nannina and Peeress entered in the Group One event, with both already having notched Group One victories this term.

Combined with the success of Confidential Lady in the French Oaks and the wins of Cesare in the Royal Hunt Cup and Allegretto in the Lancashire Oaks, Cheveley Park are enjoying one of their best ever seasons.

Although Peeress has been declared in the Group One race, her participation will depend on the ground as the five-year-old has shown her best form with a bit of cut.

She proved the point when winning the Lockinge at Newbury, and the unless the July course sees some rain, she will not take her chance.

"A decision is going to be made in the morning," said Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park.

If Peeress is withdrawn, the owners' hopes will rest with impressive Coronation Stakes winner Nannina. John Gosden's charge stamped herself a class act at the Royal meeting and Richardson is hoping there is even more to come.

"Nannina loved the ground at Ascot and she proved what a top-class filly she is, but Soviet Song is back to form and has to be considered as the one to beat," he added.

Soviet Song bounced back to form in the Windsor Forest Stakes at the Royal meeting after finishing fourth behind Peeress in the Lockinge.

However, with her confidence boosted by that win, Matthew Budden, racing manager for Soviet Song's owners, Elite Racing Club, is expecting even more improvement in her bid for a hat-trick in the big race.

"Everything has gone well since Ascot and she's not had any hold-ups that I am aware of," said Budden.

"She won well at Ascot and obviously we are hoping that she can improve a little bit for it.

"Jamie (Spencer) got off her and said she would improve a bit but she will need to. It was a Group Two at Ascot and it's a Group One tomorrow."

Soviet Song will have to concede 9lb to her younger rivals today but bookmakers still see her as the one to beat. Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams said: "The punters have already made their move for James Fanshawe's mare.

"Soviet Song has been the one for money all day whereas Peeress has been the weakest of the leading contenders."

Falmouth Stakes betting

Ladbrokes: 6/5 Soviet Song, 15/8 Nannina, 4/1 Peeress, 16/1 Nasheej, 33/1 Musicanna, 40/1 Rajeem, 66/1 Cape Columbine.