CO Antrim trainer Graham McKeever has been advised by the British Horseracing Authority to take legal advice before a disciplinary hearing involving his 2018 Aintree Foxhunters winner Balnaslow resumes.

Balnaslow tested positive for the prohibited substance cobalt after his Aintree win, two urine samples both returning levels of cobalt more than twice the threshold amount. The trainer faces the possibility of not only being held responsible for the positive test, but also for administering, conniving in, allowing or causing the administration of a substance containing cobalt to Balnaslow on raceday.”

The case was delayed due to uncertainty over the precise charges and a question over whether the charges should be brought against the trainer or the horse’s owner, as is the normal course of events in cases involving hunter chases.

Addressing the BHA panel by telephone on Thursday, McKeever said he had no legal representation and that he was keen to have the case wrapped up as quickly as possible.

However, the panel implored the trainer to reconsider, given the gravity of the alleged offences, and he accepted their advice. Free legal aid may be available through a BHA initiative.

Before the case was adjourned the panel heard that the feed used by McKeever at his stables in Parkgate lists colbalt as a trace element. An independent expert used by the BHA, Dr Stuart Paine, has expressed a view that this feed could have caused a positive urine test.

However, later tests of the feed and of Balnaslow at McKeever’s yard did not reveal any traces of cobalt, raising questions over how such a high level of cobalt came to be in the horse’s system at Aintree.

If Balnaslow is disqualified the race will be awarded to Bear’s Affair, trained by Philip Rowley.