Fenton horses cleared for Cheltenham

The British Horseracing Authority has cleared trainer Philip Fenton’s horses to run at next week’s Cheltenham festival after finding “no evidence” any of them has been given performance-enhancing substances.

The results follow a visit last week to Fenton’s stables outside Carrick-on-Suir by inspectors from the BHA who took samples from all his Cheltenham-entered horses and also interviewed the trainer (pictured) himself.

The BHA made the move in a bid to allay public concern about the prospect of Mr Fenton’s horses - including Betfred Gold Cup third favourite Last Instalment - running at jump racing’s biggest festival while a drugs-related court case remains unresolved.