Racing: Fallon banned for 21 days

The champion jockey Kieren Fallon was today given a 21-day suspension by the Jockey Club over his riding of Ballinger Ridge at Lingfield last Tuesday.

The race caused a storm of controversy after Fallon was caught and beaten a short head after easing down when well clear.

He was found to be in breach of racing's rules in that he failed to ride out for first place, and the matter was referred on to the Jockey Club as unusual betting patterns were reported before the event by exchange firm Betfair.

A 21-day ban is the maximum under current Jockey Club rules for a riding offence of this nature.

The winner, Rye, started the 8-11 favourite, while Ballinger Ridge went off at 15-8.

Fallon also faces claims he told undercover reporters he would lose the race - and tipped the winning horse.

Fallon today flew into Stansted from Malaga and was involved in a dash for the exit and a waiting car to get away from a scrum of reporters, press photographers and TV crews.

John Maxse, the Jockey Club's public relations director, had earlier said: "The Jockey Club will make a decision as to whether Kieren Fallon's suspension for failing to obtain the best possible placing on Ballinger Ridge can take effect while the security department's investigation into the betting patterns is still ongoing."