Michelle Mone’s horse amongst favourites to win Grand National amid backlash fears

A horse owned by Tory peer Michelle Mone and her husband is among the many favourites to win the Grand National.

Monbeg Genius, who was reportedly purchased by Mone for £80,000 as a marriage present for husband Doug Barrowman, has odds of 16-1 to win the flagship race. The couple are being investigated by the National Crime Agency for alleged PPE fraud throughout Covid.

In January round £75million of property linked to the Tory peer and Mr Barrowman have been frozen. The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed that Monbeg Genius, who’s eight years outdated, shouldn’t be affected.

But horseracing consultants are involved that victory for the couple’s horse might spark a backlash. Peter Scargill of The Racing Post wrote an opinion story stating: “And, surely, all will be forgiven for thinking the same thing: Please don’t let Monbeg Genius win this year’s race.” He went on to say that it “has the potential to cause significant damage to racing”.

Jockey Club Racecourses north west regional director Dickon White instructed the Racing Post : “We don’t get involved in ownership, that is down to the regulator, the BHA. They are responsible for that, they’ve taken their decision and we’ll abide by that. We just want the best horses running in the race.”

The horse’s coach, Jonjo O’Neill, stated: “Monbeg Genius did a very good piece of labor this morning and I’m delighted with him.” He went on: “I am getting on with my job and I will train the horse to the best of my ability.” The flagship race will be held at Aintree on April 13.

Baroness Mone and Mr Barrowman are at the centre of a scandal – exposed by the Mirror – involving £200million of PPE contracts awarded to PPE Medro in 2020. The Department for Health is suing the company for more than £130million over unsterile gowns. PPE Medpro is fighting the claims.

Baroness Mone has said she regrets lying about her links to the firm but insists she and her husband did nothing wrong. The couple accept £65million in profits from PPE Medro was moved to trusts and accounts linked to Mr Barrowman, and Baroness Mone and her children stand to benefit. The court order, reported by the Financial Times, bars the pair from selling some assets and put restrictions on others. It follows an application by the Crown Prosecution Service under the Proceeds of Crime Act. A spokesman for the couple said: “Doug and Michelle did not contest the application and were happy to offer up these assets.”

In December the couple told the BBC they had been made “scapegoats” for the Government’s wider failings on PPE.