Cheltenham-winning trainer David Cottin among 23 arrested in doping scandal after widespread raids by French police

DAVID COTTIN was one of 23 people arrested as part of an investigation into a doping scandal.

The Cheltenham-winning trainer was detained in a raid by French police on Tuesday morning.

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Cottin trained Easysland when he defeated Grand National hero Tiger Roll at the 2020 festival.

Renowned trainers Yannick Alain Briand and Junior Guelpa were also arrested, along with vets and pharmacists.

French police made 21 arrests while there were two more in Italy and Spain.

A police source told AFP agency: "The objective of the operation was to attack the entire network.

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"This is the first case of this magnitude in France."

The source added that 40 races were currently being investigated.

The suspects could face charges of trafficking in doping products and fraud, because of their profits from winning races.

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Approximately 80 police officers took part in raids in Brittany, Normandy and the southwest and southeast of France.

Banned products were seized during the raids on Tuesday.