BRITISH trainers with Punchestown runners next week are being urged to send scans of their horses’ passports in advance of travelling so that a repeat of the Annie Mc controversy at Fairyhouse can be avoided.

Trained by Jonjo O’Neill, Annie Mc was denied a run in Sunday’s Grade 1 mares’ hurdle as her equine flu vaccinations were deemed not in order.

The enforced withdrawal caused huge disappointment for the mare’s owners, the Coral Champions Club who had put a lot of resources into promoting the mare’s appearance. The club’s ambassador, reality television star Chris Hughes, told his 500,000 Twitter followers of his “disgust” with how the matter was handled.

Stable companion Minella Rocco was allowed to run in the Irish Grand National a day later, despite having the same passport irregularity.

Ever since the equine flu outbreak earlier this year the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Body’s veterinary team has made a policy of contacting trainers with Irish entries and inviting them to submit copies of their horses’ passports in advance so they can be checked.

It’s understood that the O’Neill yard did not take up this offer and only presented Annie Mc’s passport formally before racing on Sunday.

The mare was ordered to be withdrawn as it was unclear from the passport if her equine flu vaccination was in line with Irish racing’s requirements.

ASSURANCES

At that stage Minella Rocco’s passport was also produced and, though it contained the same error, there was sufficient time for the yard’s veterinary surgeon to supply the IHRB with the necessary assurances.

Lynn Hillyer, the chief veterinary officer with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, defended the actions of her team at Fairyhouse.

“The passports for both horses were presented on Sunday, one formally at scales and the other as a precaution. They both had the same error but there was only time for the second passport [Minella Rocco] to be rectfied. A passport can only be presented formally once on a raceday. It’s unfair on other trainers to allow for passports to be updated on racedays.”

Speaking on Thursday, Hillyer said her team had already checked approximately 40 passport scans supplied by British trainers with Punchestown entries. A number contained errors which would have prevented them from running next week had they not been spotted in advance, she said.

“We’ve been carrying out these ‘pre-flight checks’ since the Leopardstown Christmas Festival,” said Hillyer.

“We wait until the forfeit stage before we make contact with those trainers. It gives everybody an reassurance that there will be no problems at scales.”

Hillyer confirmed that every horse which arrives at Punchestown next week will be inspected pre-race to ensure that they are fit to race. She commended Fairyhouse officials for their efforts in providing water and extra veterinary assistance during the Easter Festival.

“They were very pro-active and there were no heat-related issues among any of the horses.”