FRENCH HORSES FREE TO TRAVEL French horses remain free to travel to Britain despite the worsening foot and mouth crisis, it was confirmed today.The small French contingent, which includes Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite First Gold, Baracouda and leading Elite Racing Club Triumph Hurdle fancies Jair Du Cochet and Bilboa, remain free to cross the Channel.France Galop director general, Loius Romanet, said today: 'Presently there is no prohibition on French horses travelling to England.'Horses can travel between the two countries as long as a list of precautions and code of practice is followed so if Cheltenham is staged at its original date then there is no prohibition on French horses coming across.'The French authorities continue to follow developments here closely and back the decision to suspend racing for seven days.'Everyone is in close contact and we are following the situation closely,' Romanet added.'Whatever decision is made we will comply with it.'It is a hard situation and we are very supportive of the decisions made by the English and Irish authorities to anticipate the problem rather than wait for things to worsen.'
