A REPORT into alleged cheating at horse racing to be published today is expected to see a local trainer charged.

Over the past six months, the Horseracing Regulatory Authority (HRA) has looked into claims against Robert Tierney.

The racehorse trainer, based in Malton, North Yorkshire, is accused of racing ringers at two tracks last year.

The allegations centre on whether a horse called King's Crest ran instead of his official entry of Green Admiral.

Mr Tierney has always denied the charges, which relate to two point-to-point races at Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and Grimsby, North Lincolnshire.

The HRA is expected to confirm today whether it is to charge Mr Tierney over allegations he used a ringer.

A HRA spokesman would not divulge details about the case, but said: "We will release a statement later this week, but we have no more we can say on the Robert Tierney case at this time."

The HRA investigation centred on the races at Witton Castle, near Bishop Auckland, on February 5, last year and Brocklesby Park, at Grimsby, six days later.

Both the races were won by a horse running under the name of Green Admiral, which was owned and trained by Mr Tierney.

After winning at Witton Castle, Mr Tierney's entry at Grimsby started the race as the 10-11 favourite.

But the HRA investigation was launched after fears that the winning horse was an eight-year-old called King's Crest.

Green Admiral did run a handicap chase at Market Rasen, in Lincolnshire, last August after starting as the 4-1 favourite.

But Green Admiral died after finishing the race eighth in a field of 14.

Mr Tierney also faces questions after another of his horses, Quintin, was pulled from another race.

No interim ban was placed on Mr Tierney while the investigation was taking place and he was allowed to continue to enter horses for races.

But if charges are laid against him, and he is found guilty, he faces a ban of several years.

Mr Tierney could not be contacted yesterday.