A decision on whether or not the re-arranged Cheltenham Festival can take place is expected on Monday. There is fresh doubt over the possiblity of holding the annual event as a new outbreak of foot and mouth disease has been confirmed just five miles from the racing course, but almost 10 miles away from the nearest infected farm.
"We have liaised throughout the day with the British Horseracing Board (BHB) who in turn have been liaising with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods (MAFF). Later today MAFF will be responding by redefining the boundaries of the infected area. If that puts Cheltenham racecourse into an infected area the decision as to whether the Festival can go ahead will not be made until Monday," explained Edward Gillespie, the managing director at Cheltenham, in an interview with Channel 4's racing programme earlier today.
The decision will be made by the directors of the BHB and the stewards of the Jockey Club. The festival had been re-arranged for April 17-19 when the orginal plans to stage it from March 13-15 had to be put aside because of the foot and mouth crisis.
(Reuters)
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
