The refrigerated sample showed testosterone in ratio to epitestosterone - the way

The refrigerated sample showed testosterone in ratio to epitestosterone - the way in which testosterone is measured - at 2.5:1. The unrefrigerated sample was 12.5:1."It was clear immediately that this data was recognised as being of great importance, perhaps central importance," Gaskell said. For one of the athletes, the inappropriately stored sample showed slightly more testosterone than the refrigerated one. In an operation that was performed in duplicate as a check, each of the athlete's samples was split, with half being stored in appropriate, refrigerated conditions, and the other half being kept at 37C - blood temperature - for 72 hours.The samples were compared. "The IAAF must look at their procedure with transport and storage of specimens," he said. "I think that would reassure people."But the IAAF's problem is that if they accept that the procedure which they have previously defended as being 100 per cent correct was actually flawed on occasions, then the position of infallibility which they have adopted thus far will have been compromised and the way will be open to any guilty athlete to exploit the loophole.The new evidence which was crucial in swaying the appeal panel consisted of an analysis of urine samples given after exercise by two female athletes. "The ramifications are great and I think athletes around the world will be under a lot of fear as we take our drugs tests."Britain's team doctor, Malcolm Brown, who went on record last year in proclaiming Modahl's innocence, backed up Black's point yesterday.

The first has been voiced by Britain's former double European 400 metres champion, Roger Black."The fact that this happened to Diane is just a coincidence It could happen to any of us," he said. Modahl's case is potentially even more damaging to the world body, pointing as it does to fallibility within the testing procedure itself.There are two immediate consequences. That action would implicitly criticise and undermine the worldwide testing procedure which the federation has put in place over the last decade. In recent years, both Katrin Krabbe and Butch Reynolds have won appeals within their own federation against drug bans, only to have their punishments confirmed by the IAAF arbitration panel. Plans are already being laid by Diane Modahl and her legal advisers for further action in the civil courts to clear her name It is likely to be necessary. All the signs are that the International Amateur Athletic Federation will refer her case back to their own arbitration panel, and it will take considerable bravery on their part to back the former Commonwealth 800 metres champion.

Since the bookmakers have no record of his alleged "winning" bet, his performance can only be described as cheeky.. In the case of the workaholic Vindaloo, though, a rest is about a fortnight, and an outing at Pontefract on 13 August is intended.It was not so much a rest as arrest after the Richmond, when a man wearing only a G-string and an aggrieved expression streaked past the grandstand holding a placard which insisted that Ladbrokes owe him pounds 250,000. It should certainly be worth waiting for the "couple of others" which have started to please their trainer, even if we will have to work out their names for ourselves.There will be a wait too before Vindaloo attempts again to win his 10th handicap of the season. Jimmy Harris, his trainer, saw Vindaloo finish fourth to Cherrington in the opening race - his 21st of the campaign - and decided that the gelding will now rest.

Brian Meehan, his trainer, expects him to move up to Group company in Germany.Peter Chapple-Hyam saddled his third juvenile winner of the meeting when Polaris Flight inched past Mubhij in the final furlong of the Group Two Richmond Stakes, and after a slow start to the year, Manton seems sure to figure prominently in its final months. Brett Doyle, riding with saddlebags of confidence after winning Wednesday's Sussex Stakes on Sayyedati, timed his challenge to the second, nosing past Realities at the last possible moment Khayrapour too may soon need to find his passport. Likewise, a low draw in the Schweppes Golden Mile was thought an impossible handicap, until Khayrapour won yesterday's renewal from the widest stall.Not that he had a great deal to spare, having come from almost last on the turn into the straight. He may not be much shorter on race day.It was unthinkable that a European horse could win the Melbourne Cup, until Vintage Crop did just that two years ago. Yesterday's success, in fact, might make his task at Flemington Park harder still, since the weights for the two-mile handicap have not yet been compiled. Ladbrokes rate him favourite for Australia's biggest prize at 12-1. Either the Irish St Leger or the Doncaster Cup should be well within his reach, but the final assignment, the Melbourne Cup in November, is ambitious even by Johnston's enterprising standards.

He was giving a stone and a half to the other horse, and it was a hell of a performance."Three possible targets remain for Double Trigger this season. When his younger brother threatened to pass him, Double Trigger lengthened again and found the courage to hold him at bay, perhaps in answer to the yells of Mark Johnston, who trains both colts. "I was thinking halfway through that if they both got to the front I'd keep my mouth shut," he said, "but I couldn't help myself, I shouted for Trigger. "He walks around the paddock, ears pricked, loves it in front of the crowd, fancies himself, drags you to the start, and then he's lazy in the race." Until he's challenged, that is.