Blockley and McKeown face ban

The careers of trainer Paul Blockley and jockey Dean McKeown hang on a possible appeal after they were found guilty of alleged corruption charges by the British Horseracing Authority.

Both have been declared disqualified persons having being found in breach of the Rules of Racing by a disciplinary panel.

Blockley has been warned off for a total of two-and-a-half years, while McKeown has been warned off for four years after the latest investigation into alleged corruption.

The pair, along with seven others, were charged in connection with the laying of horses to lose in 11 races that took place between March 2004 and December 2005.

All have seven days on receipt of the panel’s reasons for the punishments to appeal. On leaving the inquiry Blockley said: “I have just come out and need time.”

The trainer-jockey combination were found guilty of breaching rule 201 (v) in that they conspired with other persons to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice by passing on “inside information”.

The Lambourn handler was also found guilty of breaking rule 155(ii) in that he failed to give or cause to be given to McKeown such instructions as were necessary to ensure Hits Only Money ran on its merits at Wolverhampton in December 2005.

McKeown, who has three times ridden the winner of the Cambridgeshire and enjoyed a terrific association with the globe-trotting Collier Hill, was judged by the panel to have breached rule 157 in that he intentionally failed to ensure that Only If I Laugh, Smith N Allan Oils, Hits Only Cash and Hits Only Money ran on their merits in races between June 2004 and December 2005.

Of the others charged, owner Clive Whiting was disqualified for eight years, his brother Vincent Whiting excluded for four years, and former owner David Wright disqualified for six years.

Nicholas Rook was excluded for six years, former owner Marcus Reeder disqualified for 18 months, owner Martyn Wakefield disqualified for 18 months and owner Derek Lovatt fined £20,000 (€24,720).