Sport

Jockey Club hearing on Hotel Minella

AIDAN O'BRIEN was referred to the Jockey Club yesterday for his last-minute withdrawal of Hotel Minella from the Coral Cup

Thu Mar 14 1996 - 00:00

AIDAN O'BRIEN was referred to the Jockey Club yesterday for his last-minute withdrawal of Hotel Minella from the Coral Cup. He must appear before the Disciplinary Committee after stewards at Cheltenham refused to accept his explanation for the non-appearance of the top weight, 24 hours after finishing ninth in the Champion Hurdle.

Hotel Minella's surprise declaration for the big betting contest left over half the field to run from out of the handicap.

Queried as to why he had withdrawn Tuesday's Champion Hurdle also-ran from the Coral Cup, O'Brien explained that Hotel Minella "did not eat or drink a thing last night so I couldn't run him. I had no other horse in the race so I didn't leave him in just to keep the weights down. I left him in in case he fell early on in the Champion."

But stewards secretary William Nunneley said: "The stewards held an inquiry into the reasons why Hotel Minella was withdrawn.

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"They interviewed Aidan O'Brien and owner John Nallen and having heard their evidence, were unable to accept their explanation and referred the matter to the Jockey Club."

The decision left O'Brien fuming. "They said they weren't happy with the explanation. Basically they don't believe what I am saying. This has soured my first win here big time.

I cannot understand what all the fuss is about. In Ireland it's only a £25 fine for a non-runner if they are off their feed.

I fold them I can get my vet to fax a certificate if that's what they want but they weren't interested.

The trainer had planned to run Hotel Minella yesterday if he was all right in the morning. He is now concerned that Hotels Minella might be dehydrated.

Gowran Park will hold a precautionary inspection at 9.00 tomorrow morning to see if are there any problems with the track for Saturday's meeeting.

Cigar, the Dubai World Cup favourite, missed track work again yesterday owing the sloppy state of the Gulfstream Park track, which was rendered like "potato soup" following heavy rain on Sunday.

The 1995 American Horse of the Year also failed to train on Monday for the same reason. However, trainer Bill Mott, was planning on working the Breeders' Cup Classic winner yesterday and is confident that the delays won't pose a problem.