The British Horseracing Authority has reviewed the comments made by trainer Nicky Henderson following the victory of Bob’s Worth at the Cheltenham Festival, in which the trainer mentioned a bet placed by himself to train no winners at the Cheltenham Festival.

Rule (C)64 of the Rules of Racing states that ‘A trainer must not lay with a Betting Organisation any horse under his care or control to lose a race…instruct another Person to do so, or…receive the whole or any part of any proceeds of such a lay.’

Having reviewed his comments and taken advice, the Authority today confirms that it will not be bringing charges against Nicky Henderson.

Explaining the decision, Paul Struthers, Head of Communications for the Authority, said:

“Whilst no one has suggested that Nicky Henderson would have wanted to train no winners at the Cheltenham Festival, it is the Authority’s view that, if the bet was placed, it was ill-judged and inappropriate.

“Having sought advice, the decision has been taken not to pursue the matter because, as the Rule is currently worded, there is unlikely to have been a breach as there was not any separate lay of each runner.

“That said, we believe that a trainer placing such a bet, however intentioned, is wrong and we will be looking to amend the relevant rules to reflect this.”