Racing: Jockey Club refer doping incident to police

THE POLICE investigation into the doping of Her Honour ended yesterday, leaving those responsible still at large. Despite extensive inquiries by Devon and Cornwall police, detectives have failed to find any evidence that could lead to a conviction.

The Jockey Club announced the outcome as it referred another doping case to the North Yorkshire constabulary, involving a horse due to run at a point- to-point 16 days ago.

The West Country force took over the Her Honour investigation after the filly, trained by Martin Pipe, was found to have been given the tranquiliser acetylpromazine before she flopped at Kempton in January.

Police sought to establish any possible fraud but, having analysed the betting, could find no evidence that a betting coup or conspiracy had taken place. The result of the investigation is a setback to the Jockey Club, under pressure to improve security and stamp out the threat of doping. Measures introduced include a confidential telephone line for informants and the incentive of a reward if convictions are made.

This case can be added to the list of unsolved dopings. Those responsible for the nobbling of Bravefoot, Norwich and Flying Diva in 1990 were never brought to justice, while the file on the doping of Flash Of Straw last August is still with Surrey Police.

The case referred to North Yorkshire police is that of the Sue Bramall-trained Now And Then. Blood tests reveal that he was administered frusemide, better known as the diuretic lasix, before he was due to run at the Middleton point- to-point. Stable staff disturbed the doper, who ran off after injecting Now And Then in his horse box.