Jockey Ryan Clark facing ban after failing drug test

Ryan Clark, the jockey who rode Mrs Danvers to her first two victories, is facing a possible six-month suspension after testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine.

Clark will appear before a BHA disciplinary panel in London today charged with a breach of the rules regarding banned substances after giving a urine sample at Lingfield in September which tested positive for benzoylecgonine.

Under BHA guidelines the recommended penalty for a first offence involving a banned substance ranges from one to six months but where cocaine is involved the rider's licence will normally be withdrawn at the top of the range.

Clark has ridden three winners this year, two of them on the Jonathan Portman-trained juvenile filly Mrs Danvers who went on to complete an unbeaten season with wins in the Weatherbys Super Sprint, Listed St Hugh's Stakes and Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes.