Grand National horse disqualified and owners stripped of £57,000 winnings after failed drugs test
A HORSE entered in the Grand National who won a prestigious trial for the big race will be disqualified and his owners stripped of £57,000 winnings.
Famous Bridge, who runs in the green, gold and white silks of late billionaire and Butlins founder Trevor Hemmings, was victorious at Haydock last month.
Sent off 6-1 under Sean Quinlan, the Nicky Richards-trained runner ran out a three-length winner in the warm-up for the £1million Aintree contest.
But the nine-year-old gelding is to be struck from the record books after testing positive for a muscle relaxant called Dantrolene Sodium.
Famous Bridge went onto run at Cheltenham Festival after that Haydock win, finishing sixth in the Ultima Handicap Chase and picking up a further £2,000.
His trainer Richards told the Racing Post: “We’re going to lose the race.
“His sample contained Dantrolene Sodium, which he’s had for the last two and a bit seasons and which is commonly used across the whole industry.
“It’s not a performance-enhancing drug.
“It’s frustrating because we were working within BHA guidelines.
“I’ve been training for 26 years and we are always extremely careful with this sort of thing.
“He’s probably had ten tests previously in his career and always been clear.
“It’s so disappointing for myself and the team at Greystoke and Gleadhill Stud, and particularly for Famous Bridge, who is a wonderful racehorse.
“The Hemmings team have been wonderful, but it’s very disappointing for everyone.”
Famous Bridge was entered in the Grand National but he is almost certainly rated too low to make it into the race.
He’s not definitely ruled out yet though and can still be backed at as big as 100-1.
Punters looking at a less risky option may fancy him for the Scottish Grand National, a week after the Aintree renewal on Saturday, April 12.
He is as short as 12-1 for the £200,000 Ayr feature, where Willie Mullins has entered a 13-strong squad.
Late Hemmings’ biggest win came in 2015 when his horse Many Clouds won the Grand National.
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