Owners of leading Martell Cognac Grand National fancy Davids Lad have failed in their bid at the High Court to have the horse's 42-day suspension lifted.
A two-day hearing in High Court last week into the six-weeksuspension given to the Tony Martin-trained gelding by the Naas stewards, and upheld by the Irish Turf Club, ended without a judgment.
This morning, Miss Justice Mella Carroll ruled in favour of the Irish Turf Club, who were also awarded costs.
The saga began when David's Lad finished last in the Paddy & Helen Cox Memorial Newlands Chase at Naas on February 23rd.The stewards found the racecourse had been used as a training ground and that jockey Timmy Murphy had made insufficient effort aboard the horse.
Murphy was banned for seven days, Martin fined €1,000 and Davids Lad banned for 42 days. The suspension is due to end on April 6th, the day after the Grand National.
The horse's owners, the four-strong Eddie Joe's syndicate, took their case to court after their appeal against thesuspension was turned down by the Turf Club's Appeals & Referrals Committee.
Today's ruling means that the Tony Martin-trained nine-year-old cannot run in the Aintree showpiece. But the horse's owners said they intend appealing to the Supreme Court.