HOLLAND IN COURT ON THURSDAY

Merchant said: “We are all in complete shock over what has happened. “At the moment all we can do is await for an update from his lawyers to find out what is happening.”

Paul Carberry is also waiting for a decision about his future from the Irish Turf Club after he failed a second random test for alcohol on Saturday at naas racecourse.

Denis Egan, of the Turf Club, said: “The referrals Committee will deal with the matter as soon as we can hopefully, within the next couple of weeks.”