Trainer Tony Martin is still considering an appeal against Davids Lad's 42-day suspension incurred at Naas yesterday.
The nine-year-old was banned from running until April 6 by the Irish stewards, who ruled that the racecourse had been used as a training ground as the horse trailed in last under Timmy Murphy in the Paddy & Helen Cox Memorial Newlands Chase.
The ban rules him out of the Cheltenham Festival, where he could have contested the Mildmay Of Flete Chase, and the Martell Cognac Grand National for which he was general second favourite.
Martin was also given a 1,000 euro fine and Murphy suspended for seven days. Martin plans to speak to owners the Eddie Joe's Racing Syndicate before deciding about an appeal.
'You have to be very disappointed by what happened. Timmy was very tender with him but knows the horse best and that's all you can really say,' said Martin.
'We are considering an appeal. We`ll talk it over with the owners later today and obviously we have to think about it.'
Filed by James McMahon
