STUMPTOWN remains an intended runner at the Cheltenham Festival following a move taken this week by his connections to distance themselves from a syndicate member who has been charged in connection with a large seizure of illegal drugs in Tralee.

Nathan McDonnell, owner of a garden centre in Tralee, was a member of the Furze Bush Syndicate and owned 10% of the Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding, one of the leading hopes for the Ultima Handicap Chase on the first day of the Festival.

McDonnell has been charged with possessing methylamphetamine with a value of €13,000 for sale or supply. The 43-year-old is chief executive of the Ballyseedy Group and a well known businessman in Kerry.

McDonnell, who was arrested around the same time as Listowel native James Leen as part of the same investigation following a record breaking drug seizure in Cork earlier this month, appeared in court via video link this week.

He will be remanded in Portlaoise Prison for another two weeks after a sergeant told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions’ directions were still outstanding and that there could be further charges.

A statement issued by the syndicate this week outlined that McDonnell was no longer involved in the ownership of Stumptown. It read: “Nathan McDonnell is no longer a shareholder of Stumptown, and has been removed from the syndicate. He was previously a 10% shareholder.

“He was not an owner at time of entry to the Ultima Handicap Chase. No prize monies have ever been redistributed to shareholders.”

It is understood that the news of McDonnell’s arrest came as a shock to the syndicate, now reduced to four members. Stumptown is a general 10/1 shot for the Ultima. He was just touched off by Angels Dawn in the Kim Muir last season but won a £50,000 handicap chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.