BHA insists Irish runners are not being singled out after another Hogan inquiry

Racing's rulers have defended their decision to hold another pre-race inquiry into a runner from Irish trainer Denis Hogan's yard.

Representatives of Tipperary-based Hogan were interviewed by the Ayr stewards on Monday before Evasive Power ran in the five-furlong handicap, in which the gelding was unplaced after drifting badly in the betting.

At the request of the BHA's integrity department the stewards asked for information regarding the selection of the race, the expectations for Evasive Power and the riding instructions.

Robin Mounsey, the BHA's head of media, said: "Speaking to trainers or jockeys at the racecourse is permitted within the rules of racing and can serve a number of purposes.

"These range from being an important method of gathering or clarifying information, through to being an avenue for disrupting or preventing activity about which there may be integrity concerns."

Three similar pre-race inquiries took place on Hogan runners at Wetherby and Redcar in May and afterwards the trainer claimed he was "baffled".

The only other trainers who have been subject to similar pre-race interviews this year are Ronan McNally and Charles Byrnes, also based in Ireland.

Charles Byrnes: runners have been the subject of three pre-race inquiries in Britain this yearCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The BHA maintained its usual position that it did not comment on individual cases but insists it is not focusing its attention on runners from across the Irish Sea.

Mounsey said: "As of the end of June there were 789 Irish runners across all codes from 108 different trainers since the start of the year and only three of those have been spoken to. A number of trainers were spoken to last year, including British trainers.

"Decisions as to who we speak to are based on specific circumstances which could include intelligence or known integrity concerns.

"In the interests of confidentiality the BHA will not comment on specific inquiries which might relate to potential integrity matters or elaborate on the reason why they are held."

Hogan was not present at Ayr and when contacted said: "I've no comment to make really. As far as I'm concerned they can inquire if they feel they need to and we'll assist them. We've nothing to hide."

McNally, who is based in Armagh, said he felt like a criminal after being interviewed by stewards before The Jam Man won at Southwell on June 24.

Byrnes runners have been the subject of three pre-race inquiries in Britain this year and the County Limerick trainer said last month he believes Irish trainers are being treated unfairly by the BHA.

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