CHELTENHAM PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS

Cheltenham`s Clerk of the Course, Simon Claisse, today said that the racecourse was doing everything in it`s power to make sure the festival goes ahead in two weeks time.

The recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth threatens to force the postponement of the National Hunt showpiece.

Speaking on Sky News Claisse said: 'We are taking advice from the Minister (for Agriculture) about where racing stands and until we get news that there is to be a cessation of racing we have to continue full steam ahead with plans for the festival.'

'We have already put measures in place to disinfect vehicles and are looking at options including disinfecting people`s feet etc.

'What we have to remember is that horses are no more likely to transmit the disease than people.

'We are looking at bringing horses from Ireland by air so that they don`t have to pass through the country and risk picking up the virus.

'Also we could organise a special fleet of lorries to transport the horses to the races.

'We want to do all we can to allay people`s fears. If it is decided, however, that racing should not go ahead we will, of course, go along with that.'