Danny Cook apologises for foolishness after testing positive for cocaine

Brian Ellison is looking for a replacement jockey two weeks before Cheltenham

Danny Cook will go before a British Horse Racing Authority hearing on March 19th to explain himself after it was confirmed that he tested positive for cocaine. The 31-year old is due to miss Cheltenham after accepting an interim suspension, and could be facing a number of months out of the sport. In a statement on his behalf issued through the Professional Jockey's Association, he apologised to those he had let down by his actions,

'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 metabolite of cocaine."

Cook would have been the booked rider for the Ellison fancy 'Definitly Red' in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, but will now have to seek out a different jockey after this morning's news. Cook can expect a ban of about six months if previous sanctions for riders such as Danny Grant are any indication. When asked by the Racing Post his views Ellison was forthright in his estimation of Cook and the the test result:

'I'm very disappointed and he has just been a stupid lad really. I don't know if he was embarrassed or what, but when I spoke to him the other day he just said he wasn't riding this week.'

H/T Racing Post