Noverre set to lose French classic

Noverre faces being disqualified from the French 2000 Guineas after testing positive to a substance used to help his arthritis.

The Godolphin colt tested positive to the medication methylprednisolone, which is used around the world to treat horses with arthritic problems, after winning the Dubai Poule d`Essai des Poulains (French 2000) at Longchamp in May.

Noverre, trained by Saeed bin Suroor at Newmarket, suffers from arthritis and has been therapeutically treated within internationally-accepted veterinary guidelines.

However, Godolphin are resigned to the son of Rahy losing the race.

Racing manager Simon Crisford said on Godolphin`s official website: 'This is a very unfortunate situation. We don`t know why traces were found in Noverre`s system as the same therapeutic treatment cycle that has caused no problems in the past was used in his case.

'We accept the French findings and are resigned to Noverre being disqualified from the Classic.'

Crisford pointed out that methylprednisolone is routinely used internationally for the treatment of arthritic problems.

He added: 'The welfare of our horses is of paramount importance to Godolphin. We have competed for the last eight years in international racing and we are very conscious of the International Rules pertaining to pre-race medication.

'This is a one-off situation which could not have been foreseen because of the stringent guidelines that we follow.'

Noverre, who beat Vahorimix by a head in the French Classic, has since finished a neck second to Black Minnaloushe in the Group One St James`s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Trained in France by David Loder last season, Noverre claimed the July Stakes and Doncaster`s Champagne Stakes among four victories.