THE court case against six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon, who is accused of race-fixing, has begun at the Old Bailey, in London.

Mr Fallon, 42, is being tried alongside North Yorkshire jockeys Fergal Lynch, 29, of Boroughbridge, and Darren Williams, 29, of Leyburn.

The three are accused of taking part in a conspiracy to defraud punters at online betting exchange Betfair.

Also charged are Lynchs 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.

It is alleged the six interfered with the running of horses at several races between December 2002 and September 2004 and then backed them to lose.

Mr Rodgers is also accused of concealing the proceeds of crime.

A pre-trial hearing took place in court yesterday and will continue tomorrow.

Mr Fallon, of Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, and the other defendants did not attend.

All six deny the charges.

The trial, which may last four months, is expected to begin next Tuesday.

Charges were laid against the defendants in July last year after an investigation into alleged race-fixing by police in London.

All three of the jockeys charged in connection with the investigation were immediately suspended from riding in Britain, pending the result of the trial.

However, they are still permitted to ride in Ireland and abroad.

Five days after the trial is due to open, Mr Fallon is expected to be riding one of the favourites in the showpiece Prix de lArc de Triomphe, in Paris.

ö A racehorse trainer has appeared in court to face charges of hunting with dogs.

Miles Henry Easterby, who is known as Peter, was arrested after an investigation into alleged hare coursing by North Yorkshire Police.

Mr Easterby, 78, from Habton Grange Farm, Great Habton, near Malton, is charged with attending a hare coursing event and allowing the practice on his land.

He appeared at Scarborough Magistrates Court yesterday with two other men C John Shaw, 54, of Welburn Manor, Welburn, near Kirkbymoorside; and Andrew Lund-Watkinson, 56, of Pine View Lodge, Newton-on- Rawcliffe, near Pickering.

All denied the charges and the hearing was adjourned until November 19.

The three were bailed.