| Updated:
Horse doping row spreads
SEVEN horses have now tested positive for morphine as the doping controversy to implicate the Queen’s 2013 Ascot Gold Cup winner Estimate spreads.
Five horses have been identified: the Charlie Hills-trained Strath Burn, Tony Carroll’s Ocean Legend, Gay Kelleway’s Royal Alcor, and Charlie Wells, handled by Eve Johnson-Houghton. Sir Michael Stoute-trained Estimate is the only of the five not to win immediately before their positive test. The mare is thought to have been tested after finishing second when attempting to retain the Gold Cup last month.
Feed contaminated with poppy seeds has been blamed for the positive tests. Race results will be annulled if B samples confirm the findings, but trainers will escape punishment if feed was to blame.