Trainer Sean Curran said he was "shocked and flabbergasted" after his heavily gambled runner was prevented from running at the last minute on Tuesday.
Aces Full, who was backed from 14/1 into 9/4, was due to run in a novice handicap chase at Exeter, but the stewards at the course ordered the eight-year-old to be withdrawn after a request from the BHA’s integrity department to interview connections.
The horse, who had been off the track since last October, was due to have his second run for the trainer, with his best racecourse run to date seeing him finish sixth of nine runners in a beginners chase at Naas in March 2021, when he was beaten by over 35 lengths.
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However, the horse was not allowed to run after the stewards asked Curran to provide information regarding the selection of the race for the gelding, their expectations and the riding instructions. He was removed from the field two minutes before the off.
The trainer told The Racing Post: "I am shocked and flabbergasted at what has happened and I don’t know why it’s been done. As far as I know I have not broken any rules. The horse is owned by my cousin Joe English but has been leased to me.
"He runs under my other name John Curran and I pay all the entry fees and jockey fees. It’s strange that there was no problem when he ran under my name last time and it makes me think the BHA has just taken action this time because the bookmakers have been concerned about the gamble.
"I have put a lot of work into this horse and all that time and money has been wasted now. I thought he would win today, although I was a little concerned by the horrible weather at Exeter.
"Joe would have backed the horse I'm sure, but he’s retired so I don’t believe he would have had a lot of money on. We are not a big stable and we need winners like this to make ends meet."
Curran rode over 150 winners as a jockey and also won the Scottish Grand National as a trainer with 66/1 shot Iris De Balme in 2008.
His father and grandfather both worked for legendary trainer Paddy Mullins, the father of Willie, Tom and Tony Mullins, and the man who trained the great Dawn Run.
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