DERMOT Weld has been fined €1,000 and Va Pensiero disqualified from first place after a prohibited substance was found in the filly's system following her victory at Dundalk on May 13.

A sample taken from Va Pensiero, after she was first past the post in the Fundraising Made Easy At Dundalk Stadium Race, was found to contain 3-Hydroxy Lidocaine.

The finding of the drug was confirmed when the B sample was analysed in Paris.

Weld's case was heard by the Turf Club referrals committee at the Curragh, with Weld giving evidence along with his vet Joe O'Donnell and pharmacologist Dr Thomas Barragry.

The Committee also considered a report from Andrew Tyrrell, the Turf Club's veterinary officer, who inspected Weld's premises.

In his evidence Dr Barragry said that Lidocaine is a commonly used local anesthetic generally given topically or by administration. He said the fact that 3-Hydroxy-Lidocaine, which is a metabolite of Lidocaine, was found meant that the drug went through the horse's system and he stated the levels found in Va Pensiero were very high.

In his evidence, Weld said that Va Pensiero was never on any medication and he could not understand how the sample taken was positive.

The Rosewell trainer said he never administered any medication to the horse and neither did he ask anyone to administer anything to the horse.

He described Va Pensiero as a tough horse who was very sound. He said he was completely puzzled by the finding and had no idea how the horse tested positive.

He outlined the protocols that he has in place with regard to medicines. He also made reference to his exemplary record in this area.

In his evidence O'Donnell confirmed Va Pensiero had never been administered any substance. He said the levels found in the horse indicated that the substance found was administered to the horse close to the race which surprised him greatly.

He referred to a post administration study carried out which indicated this.

In his report, Tyrrell said that a very detailed medicines register is maintained by Weld and that it is meticulously kept. He said there was no evidence of Lidocaine being administered to any horse under Weld's care.