Davids Lad denied Cheltenham run

Davids Lad cannot run at Cheltenham tomorrow after the Irish Turf Club succeeded in having last Thursday’s court stay temporarily lifted at the High Court in Dublin today.

Trainer Tony Martin had declared the nine-year-old to run in the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup Handicap Chase as part of his build-up to the Martell Cognac Grand National.

Now the dreams of Martin, rider Timmy Murphy and particularly those of the horse’s owners, the four-strong Eddie Joe’s syndicate, have been put back on hold.

But the battle is not over as a full hearing is likely to be held later this week to finally determine whether the horse’s 42-day suspension will stand, which would rule him out of the Grand National.

The saga began when Davids Lad finished last in the Paddy & Helen Cox Memorial Newlands Chase at Naas on February 23.

The stewards found the racecourse had been used as a training ground and that Murphy had made insufficient effort aboard the horse.

Murphy was banned for seven days, trainer Martin fined 1,000 euros and Davids Lad banned for 42 days, which ruled him out of the National on April 5 for which he had been 14-1 second favourite.

The horse’s owners took their case to court after their appeal against the suspension was turned down by the Turf Club’s Appeals & Referrals Committee.

The owners then successfully made an ex-parte application to the High Court for a stay on the decision which was today reversed following a challenge from the Turf Club.

The full hearing will be held in the Dublin High Court on Thursday at 11.30am.