FERDY FESTIVAL-BOUND

Ferdy Murphy could have a runner at the Cheltenham Festival after all, it emerged today.

The West Witton trainer believes racing should not take place during the current foot and mouth outbreak and had taken the decision not to move any horses from his North Yorkshire base, which is in the heart of rural Wensleydale.

However, the Irishman said: 'We are instructed by one owner, Mr Green, that he wants his horse (Hindiana) to run at Cheltenham. He is happy with the guidelines.

'There are no problems with the horses. They have been kept on the move and are as fit as fiddles.'

Racing will resume at Lingfield Park tomorrow after the sport was halted for seven days in light of the foot and mouth crisis.

But following a thorough review of the Risk Assessment by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, it was decided that racing will restart, outside infected areas.

Murphy is not happy with this decision.

He said: 'The Irish and French aren`t coming and I still think racing should be stopped immediately because if we got an epidemic after Cheltenham it would put National Hunt racing back 20 years.

'I thought after the French banned the movement of horses yesterday then I was sure the powers that be would not allow racing to start again here.

'The decision to resume stinks to high heaven _ it`s a very bad call.'

If the Irishman does send horses to Cheltenham then there is a possibility they could be stabled near to Prestbury Park after the three-day meeting until the disease is under control.

'We have a farm about 35 miles from Cheltenham with 20 boxes so we could keep the horses there,' Murphy added.