Henrietta Knight and Noel Meade offer support for Gordon Elliott at hearing

Henrietta Knight and Noel Meade were among those to defend Gordon Elliott's character and training capabilities at the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board hearing at Naas racecourse on Friday morning.

Meade, former multiple champion trainer, said: "Gordon has already been crucified. He did wrong, very wrong, and he knows. It was a catastrophic mistake and a moment of madness, but he's already paid a serious fine."

Gordon Elliott has licence suspended for six months over dead horse photo