Unibet new sponsors of Hungerford Stakes and Geoffrey Freer at Newbury

Unibet have become the new sponsors of the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes. In addition to the £100,000 Hungerford, the bookmaker will support the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes, worth £60,000, a £20,000 handicap and a maiden across Newbury's two-day fixture next week.

Ed Nicholson, head of racing communications and sponsorship at the Kindred Group, Unibet's parent company, said: "Unibet are delighted to be title sponsors of next Saturday’s Hungerford day.

"The sponsorship of these three races on Unibet Hungerford day takes the number of races sponsored by our company in the last 12 months to over 300, which include 24 Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 or Listed races – all of which have kept their heritage titles."

On Saturday Nicholson suggested renaming the Unibet Stewards' Cup was under consideration after feeling underwhelmed by the coverage their backing had received.

Trainers warned against using popular gut product

Trainers have been warned against the use of an injectable equine medication used to treat ulcers and gut complaints after it was found to contain the banned substance testosterone.

The BHA instigated testing on BOVA UK-produced Omeprazole, a key substance in popular treatment GastroGard, in June after Australian regulators confirmed the existence of the anabolic steroid in injectable Omeprazole 100mg/ml manufactured by BOVA Australia.

While no testosterone – or other banned substance – were detected in any oral form of products, injectable Omeprazole 100mg/ml medications contained low levels of testosterone, with the BHA advising racing professionals that “the possession, use or attempted use, and administration or attempted administration of this product” could amount to a breach of racing’s rules.

In a statement, the BHA said: “We would advise trainers and other industry participants to remove Omeprazole 100mg/ml (BOVA UK) from all licensed premises, and not to administer this product to a Thoroughbred from birth until permanent retirement from racing (this includes yearlings/other horses prior to entering training).”

O'Neill given lengthy ban

Kieran O'Neill has been given a 15-day ban after he was found to have used his whip above the permitted level on Seinesational, who finished runner-up at Glorious Goodwood on July 31.

The matter was referred to the independent disciplinary panel by the Goodwood stewards because it was O'Neill's fifth offence of misuse of the whip warranting a suspension of between 2-6 days in the last 6 months.

O'Neill will be suspended between August 16-23 and 26-27 with a further five days deferred to October 8.

The rider is on course for his best season yet. He has had 54 winners and looks set to pass last year's tally of 69.