Racing

Owner withdraws Tullow Tank from Cheltenham Festival

Barry Connell made decision as trainer Philip Fenton faces drugs charges

The Tullow Tank, seen here at Leopardstown earlier this month, will not run at the Leopardstown Festival. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
The Tullow Tank, seen here at Leopardstown earlier this month, will not run at the Leopardstown Festival. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Thu Feb 20 2014 - 13:42

The Tullow Tank will not run at the Cheltenham Festival due to the "uncertainty" surrounding trainer Philip Fenton's ongoing case for alleged possession of anabolic steroids, said his owner Barry Connell.

Although the Fenton case was adjourned until March 20th — nine days after the Festival is due to begin — following a brief hearing at Carrick-on-Suir District Court on Thursday, plans for the two-times Grade One winner are on hold until the issue has been resolved.

The Fenton-trained Volvalien, a possible candidate for the Cheltenham Champion Bumper, also runs in Connell’s silks, but he, too, will be kept out of the firing line.

Connell said both horses will remain in training with Fenton.

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He explained: “The case has been adjourned and due to the uncertainty surrounding the matter, I have decided the two horses I have in training with Philip won’t run again until the matter is dealt with.

“Both horses will remain in training with Philip.”

The Tullow Tank was prominent in the betting for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival on March 12th.

The case was brought about by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine following an inspection of Fenton’s yard on January 18th, 2012.

The Co Tipperary trainer, 49, faces eight charges over the alleged possession of banned animal remedies, including steroids.

Declan Molan, solicitor for Fenton, told the court this morning that he wished to make submissions "in relation to the summonses themselves".

Judge Terence Finn granted four weeks to allow submissions to be written and filed with the prosecution.

No plea has been entered and Fenton did not attend the brief hearing.

The trainer's stock has been especially high of late following the exploits of Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Last Instalment, a superb winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown, and the 2009 Champion Bumper winner Dunguib, who was victorious at Navan last Sunday.

The British Horseracing Authority is liaising with the Irish Turf Club to gain as “much information as is currently available” about the Fenton case.

A statement read: "BHA are currently in possession of little in the way of information regarding the charges that Philip Fenton is facing.

“We are in contact with the Irish Turf Club with a view to gathering as much information as is currently available.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further or to speculate about this issue until we are in possession of the relevant facts.”