Furious Fitzgerald backs under-fire Henderson

Mick Fitzgerald today expressed his anger at the treatment of his former boss Nicky Henderson over the drugs furore.

The leading jumps trainer faces a ban later this week after one of his horses, Moonlit Path, owned by the Queen, tested positive for an anti-bleeding drug after racing at Huntingdon in February.

Henderson may be fined between £1,000 and £12,000, while disqualification could run from one month to five years.

But Grand National-winning jockey Fitzgerald, who retired from the saddle last August, says the British Horseracing Authority should take Henderson's record into account.

He said: "I worked for Nicky for 16 years and he is a very honest trainer. I'm very annoyed with the situation, because he'd never do anything to jeopardise his career."

Fitzgerald, who was an instrumental figure in the running and success of Henderson's yard, added: "They are talking about a possible ban and, if it comes to that, I will do whatever it takes to help Nicky in any way I can. If I was in the same situation, he'd be the first to offer his help."