Davids Lad will not run in this years Aintree Grand national on April 5th unless his connections decide on a High Court appeal after the Turf Club's Appeals & Referrals Committee tonight upheld a 42 day ban the horse received at Naas eight days ago.
The committee also upheld the decision to suspend jockey Timmy Murphy for seven days and fine trainer Tony Martin €1,000 - after they had ruled that Naas racecourse had been used as a training ground, and turned down pleas for leniency from connections.
The start of the ban had been deferred until today's appeal and will now end in six weeks' time on April 15 which will allow the horse to run in the Powers Irish Grand National on April 21.
Filed by Johnny Proby
