Havlin banned

RAB HAVLIN has been banned for six months after testing positive for a number of prohibited substances.

John Gosden’s ‘go-to’ jockey was tested last October at Saint-Cloud, and morphine was one of five substances found in his blood.

This breached the French racing rules so a ban was inevitable.

Havlin’s solicitor Florence Gaudilliere said: “We’ll appeal France Galop’s decision. Mr Havlin is innocent and the counter analyses will prove it.”

Havlin enjoyed his best-ever year in 2016 by number of winners, with 81 successes, 55 of them for Gosden.

He has had four wins from 31 rides so far in Britain in 2017.

Any ban in France would be expected to carry over into Britain.