Top jumps jockey faces six-month ban after allegedly testing positive for cocaine

TOP jump jockey Tommy Dowson faces a six-month ban after allegedly testing positive for cocaine.

The young rider, based with North Yorkshire trainer Philip Kirby, has not ridden since October 3 at Sedgefield.

AlamyTommy Dowson has not ridden since October 3 at Sedgefield[/caption]

Dowson’s disciplinary hearing is set to take place at BHA headquarters in London and, if he is found guilty, any subsequent ban would be backdated.

It is believed he returned a positive urine sample during routine on-course drugs testing around a fortnight before his last ride.

Dowson declined to comment but his agent John Neilson said: “I can’t say anything about it until he has his disciplinary hearing, which we are hoping will be soon.”

Northumberland native Dowson, 27, has 148 winners to his credit so far and rode out his claim in May 2019.

He bagged several big-race wins during a successful spell in 2018-19, triumphing in Grade 2 races on Nautical Nitwit and popular mare Lady Buttons, both for Kirby.

And he had his first Grand National ride in 2022 on fan-favourite Top Ville Ben, though the horse was pulled up when well-beaten three fences from home.

He has ridden eight winners this season, with his final ride coming six weeks ago when he finished second on Tommy Time.

There has been a spate of high-profile coke bans in both the Flat and jumps weighing room in recent years.

Barely two weeks ago, top Flat jockey Ray Dawson was banned for six months after admitting snorting “eight or nine lines” on a booze-fuelled night out.

A BHA spokesperson said: “The BHA does not comment on investigations or speculation around possible investigations.”