Denis Hogan in the dark after BHA flags three runners over integrity concerns

Trainer Denis Hogan says he is “baffled” by three pre-racing inquiries into his runners in Britain this month due to concerns expressed by the BHA integrity department.

Stewards inquired into the riding instructions provided to the jockeys by Hogan prior to his horses running at Wetherby on May 7, and at Redcar on Monday and Tuesday.

At Wetherby, Hogan's representative and jockey Robbie Downey were interviewed prior to Nobel Joshua running in a 1m6f handicap in which the 16-1 shot finished third.

It was a similar story at Redcar on Monday, when the trainer's representative and jockey Ben Curtis were interviewed prior to Machiavelli finishing third in a 1m2f handicap, with the same scenario playing out at the track the following day before Bendzonic ran in a 1m6f maiden handicap in which he finished ninth of ten.

Hathiq: favourite for the Dash, trained by Denis HoganCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Speaking on Wednesday, Hogan, who saddles ante-post favourite Hathiq in Saturday’s Investec Dash at Epsom, said: "I find it all very strange. The interviews mainly concerned what instructions were given to the riders. It’s very puzzling and highly unusual to have such interviews held before a race – it's not something that ever happens in Ireland.

"I contacted the BHA today and was told that they have the power to carry out such interviews before a race. I still find it all baffling, though."

Such inquiries are part of the BHA’s system of gathering information and potentially disrupting any integrity concerns it has relating to runners, according to head of media Robin Mounsey.

He added: “As part of its regulation and monitoring of integrity matters, the BHA may occasionally wish to speak to individuals at a racecourse. This may be for any number of reasons.

“The BHA logs all stewards' inquiries on its website in order that there is a public record of any inquiries which take place on a racecourse.

"However, in the interests of confidentiality, the BHA will not comment on specific inquiries which might relate to potential integrity matters or elaborate on the reason why they are held.”

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