NATIONAL FAVE MONBEG GENIUS ‘FREE TO RACE’
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’neilltrained 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.”
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.