TEAM Ballydoyle will be on the defensive when they face racing’s rulers in London today.

Aidan O’Brien and jockeys Colm O’Donoghue and Johnny Murtagh go before the disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority over a possible breach of the ‘team tactics’ rule.

If found guilty, O’Brien could be fined up to £10,000 and the riders suspended, despite the fact stewards on the day were satisfied there was no breach of the rules.

But it is no surprise the BHA has decided to look into last month’s Juddmonte International at Newmarket after rumblings of disquiet over the use of Ballydoyle pacemakers.

The race was won by Murtagh’s mount Duke Of Marmalade, a 4-6 chance, but stablemate and pacemaker 66-1 Red Rock Canyon eased the winner’s passage to the front.

The move could also be adjudged to have hindered runner-up Phoenix Tower.

Worrying

Murtagh did not help Ballydoyle’s cause by statements made after the race.

He said at the time: “I was always going to follow Colm. I didn’t want to start worrying about other horses.

“I just wanted to worry about myself and Colm and I said to him, ‘when you get to the four-marker, just ease off and give me the passage through’. It’s what Ballydoyle’s all about."

Pacemakers are officially banned, as every horse must run on its merits. But these rules have been bent openly for years.

However, the BHA — if they grasp the nettle — can make an example of the ‘Ballydoyle Three’ and ensure pacemakers are no longer allowed in this country.

I feel some sympathy for the trio as, technically, they have done little wrong under the existing rules.

And a £10,000 fine would be little more than a slap on the wrist for O’Brien, who has already won 20 Group 1s this season.

Pacemakers have left their trainers red-faced in the past, making every yard of the running to score at sky-high odds.

But anyone who seriously backed Red Rock Canyon to win the International clearly needs locking up.