Jockey Timmons hit with four-year ban

JOCKEY Chris Timmons has been handed a four-year ban after testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine at Ballinrobe in May but could return to race-riding as soon as next June.

The Meath rider – winner of the 2016 Porterstown Handicap Chase on Forever Gold – said he regretted his actions at a recent Referrals Committee hearing which saw the four-year ban backdated to June 14.

Timmons expressed his wish to return to race-riding and an application for his licence to be reinstated after serving 12 months will be considered if he co-operates with the authorities in the meantime.