Power — form book doesn’t lie
The British Horseracing Authority said it is aware of the clip. In it, Murtagh, who had just won the King’s Stand on Eddie Lynam’s sprinter, appears to be handed an object by Lynam’s daughter, Sarah.
However, bookmaker Power, whose mother, Sabena, owns the seven-year-old, said the fact Sole Power’s form with Mike de Kock’s Shea Shea was so close should put to bed any idea of potential wrongdoing.
“The BHA is looking into it and I assume will be able to check out other camera angles,” said Power. “None of us can remember what happened exactly after the race – I couldn’t tell you what I did with my hat, we’d just won at Royal Ascot and got lost in the moment.
“For me the main thing is this – Sole Power and Shea Shea met three times in England last season and every time there was barely anything between them.
“He beat him by a neck at Ascot, was a head behind him at Newmarket and there was a nose between them at York. For me, that should answer any questions anyone has – you can’t get two more consistent sprinters.
“The way the video was made makes it look like something sinister is going on. I’ve no idea where it has come from, it’s strange, but wherever it has come from they want people to jump to conclusions and that is what has happened. The most compelling evidence is the form book.”
