Gordon Elliott has been fined £1,000 and Zanahiyr disqualified from third place in last year’s Champion Hurdle after the horse tested positive for a “mystery” banned substance.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National-winning trainer accepted that he was in breach of two charges he faced at a BHA independent disciplinary panel inquiry but was unable to explain the source of the adverse finding.
Zanahiyr’s post-race urine sample, taken after he ran at the Cheltenham Festival, showed a presence of 3-hydroxylidocaine, the main metabolite of the prescription-only medication lidocaine which is banned on raceday.
