Grand National hero I Am Maximus back at Fairyhouse on Saturday to try and defend Bobbyjo crown
Last year the British Horseracing Authority took almost 250 samples from more than 120 horses in a two-day operation carried out across 14 training premises in Ireland. There were no positive results. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/InphoThe British Horseracing Authority has confirmed it is sending officials to Ireland to do out-of-competition testing on Irish-trained horses entered for the upcoming Cheltenham Festival.
BHA testing in Ireland first arose in 2014 when it carried out its own pre-festival testing on entries trained by Philip Fenton, who was embroiled in a steroids scandal at that time. It was the first time BHA testers worked at a yard outside Britain. Bioluminescence is already one of the favourites for the Mares Chase on the final day of Cheltenham although she’s set to try toto pick up Saturday’s Listed Novice Chase at Fairyhouse en route.
The champion trainer has half the field for the Grade Three Bobbyjo Chase, won last year by I Am Maximus before Grand National glory at Aintree. One of Ireland’s best established trial events for Liverpool, Mullins has landed the Bobbyjo seven times in the last eight years. It is the five-runner bumper that could contain Cheltenham clues, though, with Spinningayarn due to line up in a contest with a proven record for identifying top talent.
Cheltenham-Festival Irish-Horseracing-Regulatory-Board
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nicky Henderson resurgence is good news for cross-channel racing and the Cheltenham Festival overallVeteran English trainer’s run of success has helped give British jump racing some much-needed pep in its step
Read more »
Willie Mullins talking horse out to enhance Cheltenham Festival claimsHe is set to go off the long odds-on favourite
Read more »
Anzadam Favoured in Race Ahead of Cheltenham FestivalWillie Mullins' Anzadam is set to be the overwhelming favorite in the Naas Racecourse Business Club Limestone Lad Hurdle on Sunday, aiming to strengthen his Cheltenham Festival credentials. The horse has impressed in his Irish debut, winning the Grade Three WillowWarm Hurdle in December. Mullins sees exciting potential in Anzadam and believes he could compete with top horses like Majborough. The International Hurdle at Cheltenham remains a possibility for the five-year-old, though he faces stiff competition from Gordon Elliott's Beacon Edge and Bill Durkan's Laafi in Sunday's race.
Read more »
Willie Mullins sees Cheltenham Festival contender shine on jumping bowThe latest sports news from The42.ie in 60 seconds
Read more »
Jack Kennedy's honest admission on his chances of making Cheltenham FestivalThe Kerryman has been sidelined since breaking his leg for the sixth time when suffering a heavy fall at Fairyhouse last November
Read more »
Nicky Henderson Cheltenham favourite to take on older horses ahead of FestivalHe is one of the most fancied horses at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival
Read more »