RONAN McNally attended the offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Monday for his appeal against a 12-year ban imposed on him in January.

The Co Armagh trainer was found to have committed a serious breach of racing’s rules by deliberately not running a number of his horses on their merits so that they would receive favourable handicap marks.

The case was notable in that it marked the first time the authorities retrospectively disqualified winners after finding they had been non-triers in previous races. McNally was also ordered to return €13,000 in prize money and ordered to pay €50,000 in costs.

An IHRB spokesperson said: “Mr McNally’s appeal was heard on Monday. Justice Peter Kelly was chairman of the Appeals Body and he was joined by Anthony Byrne and John Murphy.

Mr McNally was in attendance and submissions were made by his representatives, Seamus Lannon BL, instructed by J. Rice & Co. Solicitors Belfast. The committee will deliver a written decision in due course.”

Co Meath trainer David Dunne was also implicated in the McNally case and last month he lost his appeal against a six-month ban, €5,000 fine and the return of €25,000 in prize money for his part in the plot to deceive punters and racing officials.