BHA hear Linton case

Linton could be disqualified from his third place in last month's Listed totescoop6 EBF Guisborough Stakes at Redcar after it transpired he was not qualified to run.

The disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority will hold an inquiry on Thursday to consider an objection to the Marco Botti-trained runner on the basis that the gelding, having been conceived in the southern hemisphere, was not EBF (European Breeders Fund) eligible and was not therefore qualified by the conditions of the race to be entered or run.

The BHA will not take any action against Botti as he was wrongly advised by a device on the Racing Administration Site that his horse was qualified to run.

The issue is thought to have arisen as the horse was the progeny of two European domiciled parents - which under normal circumstances would have made the horse qualified for the race - but happens to have been conceived in Australia, which ruled out EBF races.

The BHA will consider disqualifying Linton but have confirmed all future entries of southern hemisphere progeny for EBF races will be manually checked to prevent such an instance occurring again.

This case follows hot on the heels of last week's disqualification of The Young Master, who won the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton only for it to later transpire he was not qualified to run.