26 January 2024 , 22:15
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MONBEG GENIUS is free to run in the Randox Grand National – despite a court order to freeze £75m of assets belonging to owners Doug Barrowman and Michelle Mone.
The Jonjo O’Neill-trained eight-year-old, who competes under the Barrowman Racing Limited banner, is as short as 14-1 at the head of the betting for the world’s most famous steeplechase on April 13.
A question mark appeared to hang over his Aintree participation after the disgraced Conservative peer and her husband’s assets - including a six-bedroom Belgravia townhouse, an estate on the Isle of Man and 15 bank accounts - were frozen or restrained pending the outcome of a National Crime Agency investigation into the sale of allegedly faulty personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The husband and wife deny any wrongdoing.
“The BHA is aware of reports regarding a court order in relation to the assets of Michelle Mone and Doug Barrowman,” said a British Horseracing Authority spokesperson.
“We are in contact with the relevant individuals to understand what implications, if any, there are for their involvement with racing.”
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But a senior member of the couple’s legal team last night revealed Monbeg Genius is “not the subject of a restraining order”.
He added: “Representatives for Mr Barrowman have responded to the BHA and helped them with their questions promptly earlier this evening.”
While National backers of Monbeg Genius will breathe a sigh of relief at the news, O’Neill still faces a race against time to get him fit for Merseyside.
A foot abscess ruled the £80,000 purchase out of the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow over Christmas before the Jackdaws Castle trainer declared Monbeg Genius “not fit enough” to contest the Classic Chase at Warwick two weeks ago.