• Owner has 'no reason' to doubt Philip Fenton innocence
• Only fast ground would prevent Last Instalment run
Michael O'Leary, who races one of the biggest strings of jumps horses in Ireland under the banner of his Gigginstown Stud, said on Sunday that a high-profile drugs and steroid case involving his trainer Philip Fenton is "unfortunate" so close to the Cheltenham Festival, but that he feels "duty-bound" to support Fenton and has "no reason to doubt his innocence".
Speaking after the Fenton-trained Real Steel had taken a Grade Two novice hurdle at Naas, O'Leary confirmed that the stable's chaser Last Instalment remains an intended runner in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on 14 March, while stating that "if it ever did come to light that any Gigginstown horse had been given any prohibited substances, we would not tolerate that".
Fenton is expected to send at least three fancied runners to the Festival meeting next month, a few days before his next scheduled court appearance to face charges of possessing anabolic steroids and other banned substances.
"Last Instalment will run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, providing the ground is not good or faster," O'Leary said. "He has glass legs and we wouldn't risk him on fast ground.
"The timing of this whole episode is very unfortunate, coming so close to Cheltenham. It's tough for Philip, but we feel duty-bound to support him. Whatever substances have been found that is for Philip to deal with, but there is no reason for us to doubt his innocence."
Read more here >> The Guardian | Quail eggs
