DAVID WALSH "emphatically denied" taking drugs in a statement issued yesterday by his solicitor. The Kildare jockey faces an inquiry and possible suspension after being found to have failed a drug test at Huntingdon in February.
But in response to the Jockey Club findings, his solicitor Peter McCormick said: "This has come as a complete shock to David. He emphatically denies taking prohibited substances and he points out that on three previous occasions he has been the subject of random tests with a negative outcome.
"Following a meeting of the medical review committee of the Jockey Club I have been informed that a disciplinary inquiry will be convened and I shall be representing David at the inquiry.
"Since there is a pending inquiry it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
Walsh (22) will be riding at Bangor today, his first public appearance since the Jockey Club admitted his sample had proved positive and been confirmed in counter analysis. No date has been set for his hearing.
Trainer Nigel Twiston Davies said: "I don't know much about it myself except that David said he hasn't taken anything. Whether, somebody could have, stuck something in a glass I don't know but the whole thing was news to me."
The Jockey Club has suspended two riders since the introduction of random drug tests in 1994. Flat apprentice, Sean McCarthy was banned for two months and conditional jockey Barren Salter was stood down for three weeks.
