Willie Mullins horse tests positive for prohibited substance at 2026 Cheltenham Festival

FINAL DEMAND HAS been disqualified from second place in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham in March and trainer Willie Mullins was fined a total of €1,300 (£1,100). The findings of an independent British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel were published on Monday, following a fast-track referral for admitted rule breaches. The panel said that “contrary to Rule (K)2.2, Final Demand ran in the Grade One event at the Festival on March 11 with a Category B Prohibited Substance (mepivacaine) in its body”.