First tests ‘all clear’ for racing
Huge relief as 720 horses given all-clear Chiefs slam claims of BHA ‘overreaction’
RACING breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as the first batch of tests on 720 horses for equine flu returned ‘all clear’.
That’s positive news with the Cheltenham Festival four weeks away.
A total of 174 UK stables are in lockdown – and racing is suspended until Wednesday at the earliest – after six cases of the highly contagious virus were detected at Grand Nationalwinning trainer Donald Mccain’s (above) yard.
Yesterday, though, the British Horseracing Authority said: “Other than the six identified, no further positive samples have been returned.”
But BHA chief David Sykes warned: “There are still hundreds of tests to be analysed.”
haven’t gathered all the information yet.
“Of course we all want to get back racing as quickly as we can, but we will do that in a safe, measured and responsible way as soon as it is possible. We have to manage that fine balance.”
Nor has a decision yet been made as to whether yesterday’s cancelled Betfair Super Saturday fixture at Newbury – due to feature the Denman Chase clash between reigning Gold Cup hero Native River and rising star Clan Des Obeaux – will be saved. “We are in the same situation as everybody else,” said clerk of the course Keith Ottesen.