A British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel fines trainer Willie Mullins and disqualifies his horse Final Demand after a failed doping test. Final Demand is removed from the result of the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, with associated prize-money forfeited.
Outlets report that the BHA panel’s decision follows a fast-track referral and is based on admitted breaches of racing’s rules. The prohibited substance identified is mepivacaine. The BBC reports Mullins is fined £1,100, while other coverage notes Final Demand forfeits more than £40,000 in prize-money. The Irish Mirror and The Mirror describe Mullins as “visibly shocked” following the outcome, but the central disciplinary findings are consistent across sources: the disqualification, prize forfeiture, and the fine for the trainer.
