Balnaslow cobalt case adjourned as trainer seeks legal counsel

Balnaslow's victory in the 2018 Foxhunters' at Aintree remains in the balance after a BHA hearing into the then 11-year-old's positive test for elevated levels of banned substance cobalt was adjourned until next year.

An independent panel, chaired by William Norris QC, advised trainer Graham McKeever, who joined the hearing by phone, that he should seek legal counsel after intending to defend himself. McKeever accepted the suggestion of the panel.

In January, George Barlow, owner of Foxhunters' second Bear's Affair, indicated to the Racing Post that he was awaiting official confirmation of his runner being awarded the race.

In 2016, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) established a threshold of 100 nanograms of cobalt per millilitre in urine. Two separate tests of Balnaslow's urine after his victory at Aintree registered 213ng/ml and 223ng/ml.

In positing the BHA's position, director of integrity Tim Naylor brought two separate alleged breaches to attention of the panel.

The first considered the presence of elevated levels of cobalt in Balnaslow's urine sample, while the second related to a more serious charge of possible administration of a prohibited substance on raceday.

Graham McKeever: trainer accepted the suggestion of the panel to seek legal counselCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The feed used by McKeever, manufactured in Northern Ireland by producer FS Herron, and given to Balnaslow on the day of the race came in for specific attention.

The feed lists cobalt carbonate as a trace element (9.5mg/kg) and Dr Stuart Paine, an independent expert used by the BHA, was reported to have confirmed that providing the feed contained the amount of cobalt stated on the label, it may be responsible for a cobalt spike in Balnaslow's urine sample.

Yet subsequent tests of the feed, and of horses including Balnaslow, at McKeever's yard revealed no traces of cobalt, leaving questions relating to alternative forms of administration or contamination.

A final date when the panel will reconvene will be finalised in due course.

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