Fallon turns up but is banned and fined

A five-day ban and a pounds 500 fine was imposed by the Jockey Club yesterday on Kieren Fallon for riding without having received medical clearance and for failing to attend the subsequent inquiry into the offence.

Fallon's ban begins on Tuesday 23 July and extends to the Saturday when Ascot stages the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes meeting.

The pounds 500 fine related to the 30-year-old Irishman riding on two dates in November and December last year while he had a "red entry" in his medical book saying he was unfit to race.

The jockey missed the inquiry into this nine days ago and yesterday the Jockey Club disciplinary committee found that Fallon had made insufficient effort to attend or notify the committee of his whereabouts. Fallon left without commenting.

Norman Williamson escaped serious injury in a frightening incident at Killarney yesterday. The jockey hung up in the stirrups for 20 to 30 yards before freeing his feet after his mount hit a hurdle. Then he was kicked by following horses. But Williamson still hopes to resume riding in Britain next week.