Nine-race Saturday card at Ascot as racing resumes
Dunshea added: “Our approach since hearing about the first positive results last Wednesday has been based on accumulating as much information as we could as quickly as possible so we could properly understand the risks of this virulent strain of flu spreading to more horses.
“That would be harmful to them and damaging to any trainers’ yards that became infected. It has also been our intention to ensure that we avoid an issue that could result in a long-term disruption with the risk of many of our major events being unduly impacted.”
Over the weekend it was announced around 1,500 tests had returned negative – but on Sunday evening it emerged four vaccinated horses from Simon Crisford’s Newmarket yard had tested positive.
Dunshea said: “After analysis of thousands of samples, and no further positive tests on Monday, we still only have two confirmed sites of infection. We have put robust containment measures in place around both.
“From the testing and analysis conducted the disease appears to be contained at present. The BHA veterinary committee believe that the swift controls on movement that were put in place have clearly helped to restrict the spread of this virus.”
While Dunshea admitted there was a risk associated with a return to racing but believes it is at an acceptable level.
“This risk has been assessed and, based on the evidence and ensuring biosecurity measures are in place – the level of risk is viewed as acceptable,” he added.
During the blank period some key races in the build up to the Cheltenham Festival should have been run and a handful have now been rescheduled.
Ascot is the main beneficiary and will stage a nine-race card on Saturday, with the addition of the Betfair Hurdle and Denman Chase which should have been at Newbury last weekend.
The Kingmaker Novices’ Chase scheduled for Warwick will be at Sandown on Friday, while a Listed Mares’ Hurdle from Warwick will be held at Haydock on Saturday and Wincanton’s meeting picks up a Listed Mares’ Chase from Exeter.