Martin Dwyer's appeal against an increased suspension of eight months in India will be heard on September 7.

The 38-year-old was initially banned for 56 days after it was ruled that he had not ridden odds-on favourite Ice Age on her merits at Mahalaxmi racecourse, where he rode the filly to third place on February 17.

He appealed the original ban, which was then extended by the stewards of the Royal Western India Turf Club.

Dwyer continues to protest his innocence.

"I'm struggling to get my head around the whole thing. As far as I'm aware, from my spokesman who was in the room at the last inquiry, there was no new evidence," Dwyer told Channel 4. "At this moment in time I'm still waiting for the minutes of that meeting to be sent to me. As far as where it goes from now I've just got to try and have confidence in the next procedure which is the appeal in India.

"I was emailed last night and the date has been set for September 7. It's a new appeal, I'm free to ride until then so I've got to try to be confident, put my effort into preparing my case for the appeal, have some faith in the appeal board and hope it works out.

"I've had many good years in India, I've been very successful there. I've never had a day's suspension in India, I've some wonderful friends there and I've won some big races. I've been very lucky and I just hope it works out."

Ice Age appeared to drift towards the rail in the closing stages of the race at Mahalaxmi, bumping the eventual runner-up and causing Dwyer to snatch up his mount.