British Horseracing Authority officials have visited Philip Fenton’s stables in Ireland to carry out tests on the trainer’s Cheltenham entries, including Gold Cup hope Last Instalment.
The BHA has confirmed it also interviewed Fenton, who is set to appear at a County Tipperary court on March 20 to answer charges brought about by the Irish Department of Agriculture following an inspection of his yard on January 18, 2012.
Following consultation with the Irish Turf Club, it has been agreed that samples from Fenton’s horses will be collected by the BHA and fast-track testing will take place with the results available next week.
Blood and hair samples will be taken for testing, with substances able to be detected in hair samples for a greater period of time than is the case with either blood or urine.
It is understood negative samples would not automatically mean the horses would be allowed to run at Cheltenham, should other issues arise as part of the BHA trip.
The Irish Courts Service served a summons notice that Fenton has been served with a series of charges in relation to animal remedies.
Fenton’s case was adjourned after a brief hearing last Thursday after which one of the trainer’s leading owners Barry Connell announced he would not run any of his horses at Cheltenham.
