Off with their heads

THE Queen's Estimate has been disqualified and stripped of the £80,625 prize-money for finishing second in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June after a BHA hearing into the horse's positive morphine test.

Estimate's stablemate Russian Realm has also been disqualified from the Buckingham Palace Stakes where he finished unplaced having also given a positive sample, but no financial penalty has been imposed upon their trainer Sir Michael Stoute.

The hearing involving the four trainers of five other horses who returned positive samples is ongoing at BHA headquarters.

Racing was rocked by the positive samples earlier this year, with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Estimate the most high-profile horse involved.

Although it is not known if connections will pursue compensation from feed suppliers Dodson & Horrell, Barry Hills confirmed he would be seeking reparations if his two winners, Soul Intent and Jolly Red Jeanz, are disqualified as expected.

Speaking in Thursday's Racing Post he said: "I'm sure there has been nothing deliberate in any of this, but trainers must look after their owners and therefore I expect we'll all be seeking compensation on their behalf."

Gay Kelleway has also revealed to the Racing Post she will be seeking damages from the feed merchant following the positive test from her Yarmouth winner Royal Alcor.

A separate case is to be heard on October 16 for Eve Johnson Houghton, the other trainer who had a runner test positive for morphine.

Her case is being heard in isolation as she did not use the Dodson & Horrell product Alfalfa Oil Plus, which is believed be the source of the contamination.

oh dear.