BRIAN ELLISON has described Danny Cook as “an idiot” following the announcement his number one jump jockey had tested positive for cocaine, which means the rider will miss next week’s Cheltenham Festival and is also facing a lengthy ban from the sport.

Cook, 31, has ridden 71 winners from 387 mounts for Ellison during the last five seasons and has been aboard 19 winners from 91 rides – a strike-rate of 21 per cent - for the Norton trainer during the current campaign. But, despite these impressive statistics, Ellison is unable to defend the rider in the light of his failed drugs test.

“I am shocked and disappointed. He’s been a stupid lad, an idiot,” said Ellison. “What more can you say than that?”

Cook has accepted an interim suspension pending a disciplinary inquiry on March 19. In a statement issued on his behalf by the Professional Jockeys’ Association, chief executive Paul Struthers said: “Danny can confirm that he has been informed by the BHA that he has tested positive for a prohibited substance. Danny, in turn, has informed the BHA that he accepts the finding and he would not oppose an interim suspension of his licence, pending a disciplinary hearing.”

Struthers added: “It would be inappropriate for Danny to comment pending the hearing, but through the PJA he would like to apologise to all those he feels he has let down through an act of foolishness and, having informed those same people over the last couple of days, would like to thank them for their support.

“The analysis of his sample confirmed the presence of benzoylecgonine, which is a metabolism of cocaine.”

Cook, who was enjoying his best-ever campaign with 31 winners, and who had formed a useful alliance with Bingley trainer Sue Smith in recent months, has bounced back from several major injuries.

He shattered a kneecap in a fall at Wetherby’s 2013 Christmas meeting, which sidelined him for six months. Last season, he suffered a broken leg at Newcastle, which cost him the chance of riding at the Cheltenham Festival.

Under totally different circumstances, he will be sitting out Cheltenham again next week when Ellison aims to have several runners. “I’ll be using the best jockeys available on all my horses from now on,” said the trainer. “There’s no shortage of jockeys.”

Ellison has provisionally booked Richard Johnson for the Cheltenham ride on Definitly Red in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Johnson won on the high-class gelding at Haydock on his latest start.

“We’re hoping Richard can ride him again,” said Ellison, who has warned that ease in the ground is essential for Definitly Red to produce his best form. “It’s on the soft side at Cheltenham at the moment, which would be fine. I couldn’t be happier with the horse. He’s absolutely flying.”

 

• AURORE D’ESTRUVAL, arguably Ryedale’s best chance of a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, is set to miss her important date next week.

The five-year-old, trained by John Quinn, has met with a setback on the final run-up to the meeting and has been ruled out of the Grade 1 OLBG David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle, in which she was second-favourite at 4-1 behind Irish raider Annie Power.

Winner of two of her three races this season, both at Listed level, and runner-up to Irving in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, Aurore D’Estruval had strong claims.

“It’s nothing serious, but she had a bit of a setback and missed several days work,” said Quinn. “It’s bad timing, but she won’t be going to Cheltenham, unfortunately.”

Owned by Carl Hinchy, Aurore D’Estruval may still make it to one of the other big spring Festival meetings, at either Aintree or Punchestown.

The Highfield trainer, no stranger to glory at the Cheltenham Festival, could still be represented during the four-day extravaganza. Forced Family Fun, Chieftain’s Choice, L’Aigle Royal and Mr Gallivanter are all under consideration.

 

• GEORGE CHALONER reigned supreme in Pisa, Italy, on Sunday when winning the Ribot Cup - the competition open to invited European jockeys under the age of 25.

The 22-year-old Ryedale rider took the title with 29 points after winning on Ho Yam Lay and finishing second on City Napoli. His third intended mount in this three-race event was a non-runner.

Connor Beasley, attached to Michael Dods’ Darlington yard, was also on the mark, winning the final leg on Big Valentino, a victory which helped Chaloner come out on top overall.

“The only jockey who could have beaten me going into the last race was Andrea Fele, but he could finish only third and Connor won – that’s good teamwork,” joked Chaloner, who was on the receiving end of a whole bunch of goodies.

“I was presented with the Ribot Cup, a silver plate, a suitcase full of Ornella Prosperi race-riding and riding-out gear, and even a cuddly toy!” he said.

The success ended a good week for Chaloner, who had gained his 100th career success at Wolverhampton on Monday.

 

• AN emphatic win by Sun Cloud at Sedgefield last Sunday provided Malcolm Jefferson with further proof that his horses are now emerging from a challenging and frustrating out-of-form period when winners were thin on the ground.

The Norton trainer, also recently successful with Oscar Rock at Newcastle, said: “It’s been one of those seasons. There was nothing to see, but they were low in their immune systems and just weren’t finishing their races.”

Sun Cloud was a case in point. “In his two previous races this season, he’d gone from cantering to walking, which is not like him as he’s a strong stayer,” added Jefferson.

The gelding scored in decisive fashion at Sedgefield in what is, hopefully, a turning of the tide for the Jefferson stable. The trainer has three entries at Cheltenham next week. Cape Tribulation, a Festival winner three years ago, Attaglance, narrowly beaten at the meeting last year, and Firth Of The Clyde.

 

• TIM EASTERBY is in good form running up to the Cheltenham Festival. The Great Habton trainer was on the mark at Doncaster last weekend with handicap chaser Tiptoeaway and followed up with sprinter Cadeaux Power, ridden by Duran Fentiman, at Wolverhampton on Monday.

Easterby could have four runners at Cheltenham. Hawk High, a 33-1 winner at the meeting 12 months ago, goes again along with Trustan Times, a close-up fourth last year, the consistent Run Ructions Run and Dark Dune, who may have earned his ticket to Prestbury Park following a recent Newcastle success.