'Absolutely heartbreaking' - disqualification hands Bristol De Mai Haydock win

Dorset trainer Ben Clarke on Monday described the loss of the most high-profile winner of his burgeoning career as “completely gutwrenching” after The Galloping Bear was disqualified from this year’s Grand National Trial at Haydock due to a positive post-race sample of the prohibited raceday substance dantrolene.

Clarke, who has 15 horses in training and took out a full jumps licence last season having trained point-to-pointers and hunter chasers, was fined £1,000 by the independent judicial panel for the breach.

The disqualification meant the runner-up Bristol De Mai was promoted to first, taking the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained chaser’s record at the Merseyside track to six wins from nine starts.

The Galloping Bear’s post-race A-sample was positive due to the presence of dantrolene – an orally administered paste used to treat muscle stiffness and tightness – as was the B-sample, with a definitive explanation for the presence of the substance unable to be found.

Clarke has since made sure each horse in his yard has its own bridle and headcollar to avoid possible cross-contamination and believes his small team can bounce back from this big blow.

He said: “It’s been some of the toughest months of my life to deal with this. It’s been absolutely heartbreaking and it will take us an awful long time to get over it. We’re a small team and it was a huge triumph for us.

“It’s completely gut-wrenching to have the race taken away in very unfortunate circumstances. It’s still very painful and raw for us.

“We’ve had unwavering support from the owner throughout and we’re looking forward to cracking on with our job.

“We’ve made sure every horse has their own bridle and headcollar to ensure we can eliminate this from happening again. We’re a really conscientious and diligent team, which is why this hurts even more, as we take this awfully seriously.”

Bristol De Mai: promoted to first in this year's Grand National Trial at HaydockCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Clarke’s medical records suggested only GastroGard – an oral treatment for stomach ulcers – and a wormer had been administered to The Galloping Bear in the last year, as well as the horse being sedated when clipped.

The progressive nine-year-old chaser, owned by Adrian Paterson, had won the Surrey National at Lingfield before his Haydock success. He is a 14-1 chance for the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on December 27, while stablemate Dr Kananga is a 33-1 shot with bet365 for the Becher Chase at Aintree on December 3.

Clarke said: “The Welsh National is The Galloping Bear’s number one target; he goes well fresh and hopefully has a cracking chance. He will return in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on Saturday or in a novice hurdle at Chepstow the following weekend, and we’re hoping his Welsh National run can prove a springboard to Aintree.

“Dr Kananga ran a cracker over hurdles on his return and that will put him spot on for the Becher. He’s a second-season novice and has the perfect profile for the race. I think he’ll go very well.”

Ben Clarke: has some big-race targets in the coming weeks for Dr Kananga and The Galloping BearCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Nick Bonehill, representing the BHA, had argued the case fell into the medium-level culpability category, considering a suspended three-month licence withdrawal for Clarke or a financial penalty of £2,000 to fit the entry point for the rule breach.

Clarke was represented by Rory Mac Neice, who said the breach was of low-level culpability and referred to a case in August relating to trainer Gary Harrison, who was fined £3,000 for the presence of cobalt in Major Pusey at Hamilton in June last year.

Mac Neice said: “A suspension would signify the person involved is a threat to the integrity of the sport and this case does not come close to justifying such a characterisation. This falls comfortably in the low culpability level.”

In delivering the panel's verdict, chairman James O'Mahony said: "It is accepted by all parties that The Galloping Bear will be disqualified and our conclusion is that Mr Mac Neice's arguments prevail when it comes to the level of culpability.

"This should be regarded within the low category with no knowledge of administration and reasonable precautions had been taken. We don't feel a caution is sufficient as there were failings here in relation to Mr Clarke's record keeping and those justify a fine of £1,000."

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