Davids Lad now looks certain to miss the Aintree Grand National on April 5 following a High Court decision today. The owners of the horse, which also missed out on Cheltenham, had asked the court to overturn a Turf Club decision which suspended the horse from racing for 42 days because of the manner of his running in a race in Naas on February 23.
But Miss Justice Mella Carroll turned down their application this morning. She said that while there was no wrongdoing on the part of the owners, the suspension on the horse was a consequence of the unfair advantage accruing to him as a result of the actions of the trainer and jockey.
A final effort to try and have Davids Lad run in Aintree where he is the second favorite is now expected to be made to the Supreme Court.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
