MONDAY FEBRUARY 24th RACING POST CH4 2014
WEEK MONDAY FEBRUARY 24th TO SUNDAY MARCH 2nd
WEEK MONDAY FEBRUARY 24th TO SUNDAY MARCH 2nd
WEEKEND REVIEW DAY
"HOW DID YOU GET ON, ON FESTIVAL CLUES WEEKEND?
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CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2014
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Vincent Nichols (GB) Archbishop of
The Independent Monday 24 February 2014
A disgrace': Britain
Coalition's welfare reforms
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/a-disgrace-catholic-leader-vincent-nichols-attacks-coalitions-welfare-reforms-9129952.html
National minimum wage not fit
for purpose, says its founding father
Professor Sir
George Bain, who chaired the low pay commission when the minimum wage was
introduced, says it needs updating ......
EQUUS ZONE
Philip Fenton: belongs in the Equus Zone
BHA is sending a drug-testing team to his stable
BHA DO NOT BELONG IN THE EQUUS ZONE THEY ARE BLOODHORSE ILLITERATE
BHA have no right to be running horseracing.
Why has this taken powers that be two years since 2012 to ignore the needs and the rights of the British Equus Zone?
BHA to visit Philip Fenton's yard
THE steroids controversy surrounding trainer Phiilp Fenton took a dramatic turn on Monday when the BHA revealed it is sending a drug-testing team to his County Tipperary stable.
However, the regulatory body at the same time stressed that should the results come back clear, it would not necessarily mean Fenton's Cheltenham raiding party led by Gold Cup third favourite Last Instalment would be allowed to run at Prestbury Park in a fortnight's time.
In addition to carrying blood tests, hair samples - which can detect a banned substance over a much longer period - will also be taken for analysis, with the results of the tests available next week. The trainer will also be interviewed.
The other Fenton-trained horses being tested are leading Coral Cup contender Dunguib, Champion Bumper entry Value At Risk, and The Tullow Tank, who owner Brian Connell last week announced would miss the festival owning to the furore - prompting bookmakers to refund ante-post bets - but yet to be scratched from the Neputune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle and Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Regardless of the outcome of the BHA's visit, owner Barry Connell reiterated that The Tullow Tank will not run at the festival.
Connell told the Racing Post: "I made my statement and that's final on the matter."
Fenton is facing court proceedings over anabolic steroids seized from his yard by Ireland's Department of Agriculture officials two years ago, but the case has been adjourned to March 20, six days after the festival.
Routine tests on Last Instalment following his Hennessy Gold Cup victory at Leopardstown on February 9 returned negative results, but while the BHA now has a better grasp of the the controversy that has rocked Irish Racing through co-operation with the Turf Club, it has still to decide whether Fenton's team will be permitted to line-up at Cheltenham, and the drug-testing is part of an information-gathering exercise.
Paul Bittar: "we want to take steps which serve to uphold public confidence in the relevant races"
PICTURE: Dan Abraham/BHA
"Paul Bittar, chief executive of the BHA, said: "Following the adjournment of the court case, we want to take steps which serve to uphold public confidence in the relevant races at the Cheltenham Festival and the sport in general.
"The testing of the Fenton-trained horses will form a part of the decision making process as to how best to achieve this objective.
"Any development or set of circumstances which brings the integrity of our sport into question is of considerable concern. The events of 2013 highlighted the need to increase the deterrent against the misuse of drugs and medication, and in particular anabolic steroids.
"Since then significant steps have been taken towards achieving a set of international minimum standards, with a number of jurisdictions adopting a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of steroids in racing.
"Although the inspection at Philip Fenton's yard took place in Ireland over two years ago, and therefore before recent upgrades in deterrents in this country, there is no room for complacency.
"We consider it incumbent upon all involved with British and Irish racing, not just the authorities, to demonstrate their opposition to the misuse of drugs and medication, in particular anabolic steroids, and be open and transparent about all practices."
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