Famous Bridge is set to lose his victory in the Grand National Trial after failing a drug test. The nine-year-old cruised to victory at Haydock in February, but his owners will now be stripped of their £57,000 winnings. After being sent off at odds of 6/1, Famous Bridge travelled well for jockey Sean Quinlan before finding plenty for pressure in the final furlong to beat favourite Apple Away (11/4) into second.

However, trainer Nicky Richards has now revealed that his stable star will be stripped of the Haydock victory as the gelding tested positive for muscle relaxant Dantrolene Sodium. He told the Racing Post: “We're going to lose the race.

"His sample contained Dantrolene Sodium, which he's had for the last two and a bit seasons and which is commonly used across the whole industry. It's not a performance-enhancing drug. It's frustrating because we were working within BHA guidelines.

"I've been training for 26 years and we are always extremely careful with this sort of thing. He's probably had ten tests previously in his career and always been clear.

"It's so disappointing for myself and the team at Greystoke and Gleadhill Stud, and particularly for Famous Bridge, who is a wonderful racehorse. The Hemmings team (Famous Bridge’s owners) have been wonderful, but it's very disappointing for everyone."

Following his victory in the Trial, Famous Bridge went on to run a good race at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing sixth of 24 in the Ultima Handicap Chase.

Famous Bridge also holds an entry for the Grand National at Aintree next month, though his rating means he is unlikely to line up at the three-day festival unless a surprise amount of scratchings are made next week. As such, he is widely available at an ante-post price of 100/1.

The gelding also holds an entry for the Scottish Grand National – which takes place a week after the Aintree showpiece – at Ayr and connections could be tempted to bid to take home the £200,000 prize. Famous Bridge is priced at 33/1 to head to Scotland, with The Changing Man and Johnnywho both currently battling it out for favouritism in the race.