LEGAL discussions are today expected to begin ahead of the trial of six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon and two others from North Yorkshire on race-fixing allegations.

Fallon, 42, and fellow riders Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, together with three other men, are accused of taking part in a plot to defraud punters using the online Betfair exchange.

Lawyers representing the six men are expected to appear at the Old Bailey today at the start of a week of legal argument before the four-month trial begins.

Fallon, of Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, is being tried alongside Lynch, 29, of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, and Williams, 29, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

Also charged are Lynch's brother Shaun Lynch, 37, of Derry, Northern Ireland, former racing syndicate director Miles Rodgers, 38, of Silkstone, South Yorkshire, and Philip Sherkle, 42, of Tamworth, Staffordshire.

They are accused of conspiracy to defraud between December 2002 and September 2004 by interfering with the running of horses to ensure they lost races, defrauding Betfair punters.

Rodgers, a former racing syndicate director, is also accused of concealing the proceeds of crime.

All six defendants deny the charges against them. They are not required to attend court today.