Mills was understandably distressed when the news of the positive test first broke and summed up his feelings by saying "they get hold of a few bob and it goes to their head, doesn't it?
His zero tolerance policy means the door to Loretta Lodge is closed to Miles, but Blake added that he is prepared to go back to being a stable
lad if it helps his chances of getting his licence back.
"Epsom is a small place and Robert has found it impossible even to get work riding out, but he's keeping fit and more than happy to start again on the bottom rung," he added.
"He's extremely embarrassed and upset about letting so many people down. He's also under no illusions that he faces a ban tomorrow, though we are hoping the fact that he has owned up will stand in his favour."
Miles is only the fourth rider to test positive for cocaine since testing was introduced in 1994.
Apprentice Philip Shea received a sixmonth ban after arguing his drink had been spiked. Dean Gallagher received 18 months for a second offence, while Francis Norton served four months after arguing that an exotic herbal tea was behind his positive test.
Meanwhile, Graham Lee paid Royal Rosa a handsome tribute today as he looked ahead to riding Howard Johnson's gelding in a fascinating battle with Alan King's Crystal D'Ainay in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.
"He's been a natural jumper from day one," he said. "He ran a hell of a race to chase home Iris's Gift at Aintree last spring and I think he has all the attributes of a top-class horse."
.jpeg?trim=0,0,0,0&quality=75&auto=webp&width=320&crop=8:5,smart)
