THE Criminal Assets Bureau will today try to seize control of Cheltenham-winning horse Labaik — part-owned by convicted drug dealer John Boylan.

Detectives investigating the hood will go into the High Court to try to freeze the animal after his high-profile exploits at the famous racing festival in March.

4 Drug dealer John Boylan who part-owns the Cheltenham winning horse Labaik

The Gordon Elliott-trained horse stunned the racing world when he bolted up in the traditional Cheltenham curtain-raiser at odds of 25/1, after falling from 50/1.

A delighted Boylan, who has convictions for cocaine dealing, criminal damage, threatening and abusive behaviour and theft, was pictured celebrating in the parade ring after the horse won the €147,447 race.

It was then sent to the Aintree sales the following month where it could have expected to fetch at least €500,000, according to industry sources.

CAB blocked the sale after carrying out a series of raids against the criminal following his Cheltenham victory.

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But Labaik’s racing days might now be behind him after he suffered a serious injury while finishing fourth in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Punchestown last week.

A racing source said: “CAB are trying to seek an order to freeze Labaik and a car as part of their investigation against John Boylan.

“They blocked the sale at Aintree where it would have sold for big money. The other innocent owners had no choice but to keep running him after they couldn’t sell him.

“If he had won at Punchestown it is likely the prize money couldn’t have been touched, or certainly a portion of it.”

4 CAB are planning to nab control of Cheltenham winner Labaik

Boylan, who is originally from Lucan in Dublin, is a part owner of the nag. There is no suggestion that any other member of the ­syndicate or anyone else involved with the horse is involved in ­criminality.

The horse caused a huge stir when he won the Supreme Novices Hurdle, when he was ridden by 17-year-old Kerry jockey Jack Kennedy.

He was priced at 50/1 because he had failed to start his previous three races but those close to the animal expected him to put in a big performace if he was on his best behaviour at Cheltenham — which he was.

There were some big bets placed on him ahead of the race with many lucky punters winning big.

Following the win, detectives began probing Boylan’s finances. They seized financial documents, computers, a €40,000 Mercedes and a small quantity of drugs during a series of raids, which saw private residences and business premises searched.

4 Derek 'Del Boy' Hutch who was jailed in connection with a robbery

No arrests were made but Gardai are investigating if he’s linked to a west Dublin crime gang.

He was previously arrested in connection with the attempted robbery of a cash-in-transit van in Lucan in 2009, during which a raider was shot dead by gardai.

Garrett Molloy was killed after he fired a shot during the raid and held a gun to a security worker’s head.

The raid was organised by Gerry Hutch’s nephew Derek ‘Del Boy’ Hutch, who was jailed in connection with the robbery.

Another raider, Keith Murtagh, who has been targeted by the Kinahan Cartel in the last year, was shot and injured by officers during the incident.

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Boylan was arrested near the scene of the raid and charged in connection with the incident, with the DPP claiming he and another man were lookouts and getaway drivers. Boylan denied all involvment and was later acquitted on the directions of a judge.

Following Labaik’s successful exploits in Cheltenham, there was major interest in how he would fare at Punchestown last week. He took part in Friday’s feature Irish Champion Hurdle and claimed fourth when he was ridden by Davy Russell.

However, trainer Gordon Elliott later confirmed the horse had suffered a potentially career-threatening injury during the race. The Co Meath handler said: “He was very good and Davy Russell said that if he had jumped any of the last three hurdles he might nearly have won the race.

“He came home and he was very sore on Friday night, so we’ll see how he is, but I’d say we won’t be seeing him for a good while.

4 Labaik's jockey Jack Kennedy celebrates his Cheltenham win with Boylan on the far left with the tricolour over his shoulder

“He was in the vet’s on Friday night and the chances of running again could be very slim. He’s a good horse.

“Unfortunately he’s a bit quirky — but that’s just the way it goes.”

There was no sign of Boylan in the parade ring when Labaik ran at Punchestown last week.

According to Irish Sun sources, he had been specifically told to stay away.