Patrick Neville at imminent risk of bankruptcy due to lengthy financial dispute with part-owner of The Real Whacker

Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Patrick Neville faces the prospect of being declared bankrupt, perhaps as soon as this week, over a financial dispute with an owner involved in the best horse in his Leyburn stable. 

Neville is the subject of a bankruptcy petition due to be considered on Thursday at Darlington County Court. The petition was filed by Rebecca Dennis, who was closely involved in the running of Neville's business soon after he moved to Britain from Ireland in 2021. She continues to own a quarter-share of The Real Whacker, who landed a narrow victory over Gerri Colombe in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the 2023 festival.

Three years ago, Dennis loaned Neville €110,000, which has remained unpaid. "It was a simple loan, to do with buying a property in Ireland," Neville told the Racing Post. Dennis now wants the money back. Neville claims that, because of subsequent dealings between them, the true position is a net debt in his favour, which Dennis denies.