Bravemansgame, the eight-year-old horse that finished as the runner-up at the Cheltenham Gold Cup earlier this year, has been withdrawn from Thursday’s Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) intervened.

Initially, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) had cleared Bravemansgame to race in the Grade One heat. The horse had been transferred to sole ownership of Bryan Drew on Tuesday, after previously being co-owned by John Dance, the founder of Vertem Asset Management.

Vertem Asset Management is a prominent sponsor within the racing industry, but the FCA last week ordered one of its trading names, WealthTek LLP, to cease trading due to “serious regulatory and operational issues coming to light”.

Despite the approval from the BHA, the FCA intervened and instructed the authority to prohibit Bravemansgame from competing in the race. The FCA’s intervention was due to new information, including a court order, which the FCA provided to the BHA on April 12.

As a result of the FCA’s intervention, Bravemansgame will not participate in Thursday’s race. The BHA released a statement confirming the withdrawal of Bravemansgame, stating that they would continue to liaise with the FCA and other affected parties.

The withdrawal of Bravemansgame from the race is a disappointment for horse racing enthusiasts who were eagerly anticipating seeing the horse compete. Bravemansgame has already proven to be an impressive competitor, finishing as the runner-up at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious races in the National Hunt calendar.