Willie Mullins fears 'colossal' VAT costs as he tests UK's new travel waters

Connections sending horses from Ireland to race in Britain face a potentially "colossal" bill due to new VAT charges as a result of Brexit, trainer Willie Mullins warned on Thursday.

Mullins, whose Grangee will on Saturday become the first Irish-trained runner in Britain since the UK exited the European Union, said he has been informed he will have to pay VAT on the value of the horse. Although the charge is refundable, the payments are expected to take months to process by HMRC.

Should the situation remain the case by Cheltenham, the cost – even if only temporary – to Irish connections would be potentially astronomical.