O'Brien faces Jockey Club

AIDAN O'BRIEN today faces the first "blip" on his seemingly inexorable rise to the top of his profession.

The 26 year old, who has rewritten the record books since taking out a licence, only three years ago, must, attend a Jockey Club inquiry at Portman Square," along with owner John Nallen.

The pair face charges off acting in a manner prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of British racing over an alleged breach of the non runner rules at the 3.15 p.m. hearing before the disciplinary committee.

They were referred to Portman Square by the Cheltenham stewards after his withdrawal of Hotel Minella from" the Coral Cup at the Festival meeting in March.

The gelding finished ninth in the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the fixture and as pulled out of the following day's Coral Cup on the morning of the race.

Hotel Minella's declaration under top weight for the £40,000 added handicap stopped the weights rising at the overnight stage and left 15 of the 23 runners out of the handicap proper, prompting suggestions which O'Brien strenuously denied he had been left in to benefit others at the top of the weights.

The Cheltenham stewards held an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his withdrawal and referred the matter on after failing to accept explanations from O'Brien and Nallen.

O'Brien has broken ally records since taking over the trainer's licence from his wife Anne Marie who had been champion jumps trainer in 1992/93.

He broke the prize money record in his first jumps season and set an Irish record for the number of winners in a calendar year in 1994 a mark he smashed again last year.