Very Wood and Bryan Cooper winning the Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan in February© Photo Healy Racing
Very Wood has been disqualified from his win in the Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan back in February after testing positive for a banned substance.
Noel Meade's charge was found to have capsaicine in his system after landing the Grade Two heat. The substance derives from chilli peppers and is used in some crib-biting solutions as well as a liniment, by which it can reduce pain and inflammation by increasing circulation locally.
Meade pointed to a supplement he had used on Very Wood, with the manufacturers accepting it contained a small amount of red pepper, which they were unaware was a prohibited substance.
The suppliers stated red pepper will not be included in any of their formulae in the future.
Meade escaped any fine as he had administered the substance unknowingly and it was accepted he had taken all reasonable precautions to avoid a breach of the rules. He was, however, ordered to pay the cost of a 'B' sample as well as the Turf Club's costs, which amounted to 750 euros.
Noble Emperor was awarded first place in the Navan race.
