A JOCKEY is facing a six-month ban from the sport after testing positive for cocaine.

Larry McGrath, who last year rode 14 winners for trainer Richard Guest's yard at Brancepeth, near Durham City, is expected to attend a preliminary hearing today at the Horseracing Regulatory Authority, in London.

The 33-year-old jockey failed a drugs test at Carlisle on March 9 and was subsequently unable to ride at two meetings last weekend.

Mr McGrath said last night: "I am not running away from it and I am going to have to face the consequences. It was just a moment of stupidity."

If disciplinary proceedings find him guilty of what would be a first offence, the talented jump jockey faces a suspension from the sport of up to six months.

Irish-born Mr McGrath said: "It was a moment of madness at a party. I am not into drugs, I don't even smoke and I have never used cocaine before - that was the only time I have touched the stuff.

"I have let Richard down, I have let other people down, but most of all, I have let myself down."

Mr McGrath is the elder brother of former jockey Christy McGrath, who was jailed for life in 2001 for the murder of ex-Newcastle United footballer Gary Walton.

The 37-year-old father-of-three was killed after being beaten behind the Miners' Arms pub in Coundon, County Durham.

After the jailing of his brother, Larry McGrath emerged as a spokesman for the family during their ongoing campaign to have his conviction overturned.

* A conditional jockey at Richard Guest's stables was last night said to be making good progress after a fall at Wetherby, North Yorkshire, on Sunday.

John Flavin, 21, suffered a fractured skull and broken cheekbone when he was thrown from his mount and kicked in the head.

He has had a plate inserted in his cheekbone and a bone chip removed from near his brain. He is expected to be released from Leeds General Infirmary in about ten days.