Darryll Holland narrowly escaped a Vodafone Derby day ban at a Jockey Club disciplinary committee hearing yesterday - but the jockey will miss the next three weeks of racing.

Holland had been found guilty under Rule 153 of minor irresponsible riding at Chester last Wednesday - which meant an automatic referral to Portman Square under the "totting-up" rules as he had accumulated more than 15 days of suspensions for similar offences in the last 12 months.

The stewards re-evaluated his offence at Chester and upgraded it to major irresponsible riding and suspended him in total for 21 days, of which 14 were the minimum penalty under the "totting-up" system.

But the disciplinary committee opted to suspend six days of the punishment, meaning that Holland will be free to return to the saddle on June 4th, Oaks day.

Holland said: "I had a fair hearing and am happy with the outcome. The stewards said they took into consideration the dates of the suspension that I would have to serve and as a result I will be free to ride in the Derby."

Holland was punished for his ride on Duelling Girl in the Evelyn Delves Broughton Fillies' Maiden. Evidence from fellow jockeys Dane O'Neill and Kieren Fallon who also rode in the race, were important to him escaping a longer ban.

"I'd like to thank both for coming to the hearing and speaking on my behalf," he said.

His suspension will run from Tuesday May 18th until June 3rd. Holland also begins a separate six-day suspension tomorrow for a "major" breach of rule 153 at Doncaster on May 3rd and will thus effectively be sidelined from tomorrow for three weeks.