Paul Gilligan banned for six months by British Horseracing Authority

Co Galway trainer Paul Gilligan has been banned by the British Horseracing Authority for six months for winning a race at Uttoxeter in 2014 with a horse who had previously run at an unrecognised "flapper" meeting in Ireland.

The BHA decided after an investigation that Dubai Phantom, who won the Uttoxeter race, and Ayres Rock who won at the famous Dingle pony races in 2013, were the same horse.

They found Gilligan guilty at a hearing last month and sentenced him on Friday.

Gilligan is licensed by the Turf Club which has said it will await the time period for any appeal lodgement to expire, or until an appeal has been heard, before acting. However any UK ban is likely to be reciprocated in Ireland.

Gilligan was given a one-year suspended ban by the Turf Club in 2013 after deciding Athenry-based Gilligan entered and ran the Grade Three winner, Wellforth, in two races with the consent of knowledge of its owner.

The Turf Club’s Referrals Committee will meet at Punchestown at 11am on Saturday morning to hear jockey Robbie Colgan’s appeal against a 21 day “non-trier” ban received for his ride on Definite Earl at Ballinrobe earlier this month.

Definite Earl's trainer David Broad is appealing a €2,000 ban under Rule 212 and an appeal against the horse's 60-day ban will also be heard.