Tuesday, February 27, 2001
RACING TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED - JOINT BRITISH HORSERACING BOARD AND THE JOCKEY CLUB STATEMENT
In view of the continuing spread of Foot and Mouth Disease, the Directors of the British Horseracing Board (BHB), in conjunction with the Stewards of the Jockey Club, have temporarily suspended racing with effect from tomorrow (Wednesday 28th February). Racing will resume on Wednesday 7th March. This decision, which has been taken to enable further precautionary measures to be implemented, has the full support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF).
Paul Greeves, BHB's Racing Director, said today: "Although we have Government and veterinary advice that staging racing presents a very small risk of spreading the disease, we have agreed this temporary cessation in order to develop our published precautionary measures. In addition, we will be drawing up strict codes of practice for all people and transport that use racecourses, both on racedays and non-racedays. We will also develop instructions for use by trainers, and for the public planning on attending racing.
"Furthermore, we will ensure that everyone involved in racing are not only aware of the measures they must take, but are implementing them from the moment racing starts again on Wednesday 7th. We believe that, by having a short break, racing is giving itself the best chance of continuing in the long run and also of staging the Cheltenham Festival next month as scheduled. Racing will continue to act in a totally responsible manner."
Peter Webbon, Chief Veterinary Advisor to the Jockey Club, added: "Currently, the risk of spreading the infection from racing is very small, but by taking these thorough measures we are confident we can reduce that to negligible."
THE NATIONAL HUNT FESTIVAL 2001
Cheltenham Racecourse continues preparing for the National Hunt Festival on Tuesday, March 13, Wednesday, March 14 and Thursday, March 15.
This follows the joint announcement from the British Horseracing Board and the Jockey Club today, Tuesday, February 27, that racing has been temporarily suspended from Wednesday, February 28, up to and including Tuesday, March 6, following the foot and mouth outbreak.
Cheltenham Racecourse remains hopeful that racing will resume at other racecourses from Wednesday, March 7, with the three-day Festival happening the following week.
Measures have already been taken to disinfect all vehicles coming onto the racecourse.
Cheltenham Racecourse will naturally be complying with all the precautionary measures which the BHB and Jockey Club have announced today.
There will be wheel-disinfecting baths for vehicles arriving at the National Hunt Festival and disinfection of racegoers' footwear.
Cheltenham Racecourse will be liaising with Irish trainers and is considering the hire of aircraft to make sure the leading Irish contenders get to the Festival and then return to their training yards.
All these measures minimise the already extremely low risk of racehorses or the vehicles carrying them spreading foot and mouth disease.
Edward Gillespie, the Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, said today: "We are continuing to plan arrangements for the National Hunt Festival in March and the sensible measures announced today by the British Horseracing Board and the Jockey Club are welcome.
"We shall continue to take all the expert advice necessary to ensure that we maximise the chances of the meeting going ahead as scheduled."
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE - STATEMENT FROM THE ANIMAL HEALTH TRUST
Co-ordinated Equine Industry Response to the Foot and Mouth Disease Epidemic
All sectors of the equine industry are very concerned about the serious impact of the current Foot and Mouth Disease epidemic on British farming and the British countryside and fully support the Ministry of Agriculture's efforts to eradicate it.
The horse is not susceptible to infection with the Foot and Mouth Disease virus and so is rightly not directly affected by the control procedures. There is however a theoretical risk that the virus could be spread on horses' feet or equipment.
The Equine Industry wants to ensure that all its members and components have received appropriate and practical advice on behaviour that avoids risk of transmitting the virus, whilst not being needlessly restrictive.
The Animal Health Trust is calling an emergency meeting of the Equine Industry Infectious Diseases Committee on the afternoon of Thursday, March 1, in order to produce a co-ordinated and reasonable response to the epidemic from the equine industry.
NORTHERN RACING ACQUIRES HEREFORD RACECOURSE
Sir Stan Clarke's Northern Racing has acquired Hereford racecourse in a deal worth almost £3.7 million.
Simon Clarke, son of Sir Stan Clarke and a Director of Northern Racing commented: "I am delighted that Hereford Racecourse is now part of our racing group. Hereford is a classic country racecourse with a great atmosphere. Northern Racing looks forward to investing its energy and resources to see Hereford Racecourse welcome her existing and future customers."
RECORD PRIZE MONEY ON OFFER FOR 45TH WHITBREAD GOLD CUP
The 45th renewal of the Whitbread Gold Cup which takes place at Sandown Park on Saturday, April 28, 2001 will be worth a record £125,000.
Andrew Cooper, Group Racing Manager of Sandown's owners United Racecourses commented: "The Whitbread Gold Cup is Sandown Park's most prestigious National Hunt race and plays an integral part in Sandown Park Finale Day on April 28, the recognised end of the National Hunt season.
"We are delighted that prize money has reached a record value of £125,000 and will once again extend to sixth place.
Entries for the 3m 5½f contest close on Wednesday, February 28, 2001. Any horse that manages to finish in the first four in the Martell Grand National and then goes on to land the Whitbread will be eligible for a £100,000 bonus.
NUCLEAR DEBATE COULD RUN IN DUBAI
The gelding Nuclear Debate, last year's champion sprinter in Europe could go for the Mahab al Shimaal (Prestige) over six furlongs at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday, March 1.
Victorious in the King's Stand Stakes and the Nunthorpe Stakes last season, the John Hammond-trained six-year-old will have to carry top weight of 123lb if he lines up on Thursday.
Another possible starter for the contest is Godolphin's China Visit, although he also holds an entry for the nine furlong Jebel Hatta (Prestige) on Sunday.
LATEST LADBROKES ANTE-POST PRICES
The Smurfit Champion Hurdle
1/3-Istabraq, 12-Geos, 12-Landing Light, 12-Moscow Flyer, 16-Hors La Loi III, 16-Stage Affair, 20-Bounce Back, 20-Youlneverwalkalone, 25-Barton, 33-Grimes, 33-Mantles Prince, 40-Theatreworld, 50-Auetaler, 50-Katarino, 50-Seebald, 66-Bring Sweets, 66-Hit And Run, 66-Lord Brex, 66-Ulundi, 100-Greyfield, 100-Inching Closer, 100-Penny Rich, 100-The French Furze, 100-The Glow Worm, 150-Batswing, 200-Maidstone Monument, 1000-All Allone, 1000-Althrey Ruler.
Each Way 1/5 odds places 1,2,3.
The Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup
3-First Gold, 7/2-See More Business, 6-Marlborough, 10-Commanche Court, 10-Florida Pearl, 14-Beau, 14-Cyfor Malta, 16-Legal Right, 16-Rince Ri 20-Nick Dundee, 25-Frantic Tan, 25-Lord Noellie, 33-Bellator, 33-Dorans Pride, 50-Foxchapel King, 50-Go Ballistic, 50-Upgrade, 66-Arctic Camper, 66-Mickos Dream, 66-Rathbawn Prince, 66-Strong Tel, 100-Imperial Call, 100-Red Marauder, 100-Tresor De Mai, 150-No Retreat, 200-Course Doctor
Each Way 1/4 odds places 1,2,3.
The Queen Mother Champion Chase
11/4-Flagship Uberalles, 7/2-Function Dream, 7/2-Tiutchev, 4-Edredon Bleu, 10-Direct Route, 16-Cenkos, 20-Bellator, 20-Fadalko, 33-Frozen Groom, 33-Wahiba Sands, 40-Rathbawn Prince, 50-Celibate, 100-Red Ark
Each Way 1/4 odds places 1,2,3.
The Martell Grand National
10-Papillon, 14-Noble Lord, 16-Beau, 16-Mely Moss, 25-Earthmover, 25-Micko's Dream, 25-Moral Support, 25-Niki Dee, 25-Scotton Green, 25-Smarty, 25-Take Control, 33-Ackzo, 33-Addington Boy, 33-Brave Highlander, 33-Browjoshy, 33-Buck Rogers, 33-Djeddah, 33-Edmond, 33-Florida Pearl, 33-Foxchapel King, 33-General Wolfe, 33-Inis Cara, 33-Inn At The Top, 33-Kingsmark, 33-Lanturn, 33-Merry People, 33-Paddy's Return, 33-Shannon Gale, 33-Streamstown, 33-The Last Fling, 40-Bouchasson, 40-Call It A Day, 40-Dark Stranger, 40-Exit Swinger, 40-Fadalko, 40-Feathered Leader, 40-Feels Like Gold, 40-Linden's Lotto, 40-Lord Gyllene, 40-Mister One, 40-Promalee, 40-Rathbawn Prince, 40-Red Ark, 40-Red Marauder, 40-Royal Tommy, 40-Strong Tel, 40-Supreme Charm, 40-Village King, 40-Youre Agoodun
Each Way 1/4 odds places 1,2,3,4.
The Bonusprint Stayers Hurdle
4-Limestone Lad, 5-Bannow Bay, 6-Anzum, 7-Youlneverwalkalone, 8-Deanos Beeno, 8-Mister Banjo, 8-Teaatral, 14-Bounce Back, 16-Merry Masquerade, 20-Celtic Native, 25-Boss Doyle, 25-Dorans Pride, 25-Havre De Thaix, 25-Heros Fatal, 40-Galant Moss, 40-Hindiana, 50-Audacter, 50-Frosty Canyon, 50-Maid Equal, 50-Polar Champ, 50-Princeful, 50-Vishnu, 50-Whats Up Boys, 66-Flagship Therese, 66-Soldat, 66-Upgrade, 100-The Proms, 200-Its Wallace
Each way 1/4 odds places 1,2,3.
The Royal & Sun Alliance Chase
11/4-Bacchanal, 11/4-Shotgun Willy, 9/2-Sackville, 9-Behrajan, 11-Ross Moff, 16-Hati Roy, 16-Bindaree, 16-Crocadee, 16-Jolly Green Giant, 20-Be My Manager, 20-Arctic Copper, 20-Take Control, 25-Enrique, 25-Over The Furze, 33-Red Striker, 33-Wahiba Sands, 40-Charter Ridge, 40-Galant Moss, 40-Iris Bleu, 40-Twilight Buck, 50-Halexy, 50-Killerine, 50-Kings Valley, 50-Errand Boy, 66-Kabal Of Life, 66-Buckside, 66-Champagne Native, 100-Winston Run, 100-Ceanannas Mor, 100-Far Dawn, 100-Scoring Pedigree
Each Way 1/4 odds places 1,2,3.
The Elite Racing Club Triumph Hurdle
9/4-Jair Du Cochet, 3-Bilboa, 5-Azertyuiop, 16-Janus Du Cochet, 20-Gold Street, 20-Major Lando, 20-Pittsburgh Phil, 20-Tysou, 25-Francies Fancy, 25-Guard Duty, 25-Holy Orders, 25-Jayas, 25-Lasting Life, 25-Tiger Groom, 33-Among Equals, 33-Armen, 33-Barrow, 33-Benovia, 33-Caesars Palace, 33-Dance Director, 33-Deferlant, 33-Environment, 33-Fait Le Jojo, 33-Jocko Glasses, 33-Kadoun, 33-Lady Lucha, 33-Montreal, 33-Segregation Lane, 33-Snob Wells, 40-Anticles, 40-Doukash, 40-Fantasy Park, 40-Fruit Defendu, 40-Going Global, 40-Got One Too, 40-Nipitinthebud, 40-Open Ground, 40-Sage Dancer, 40-Sharp Belline, 40-Tikram, 40-Zetho
Each Way 1/4 odds places 1,2,3,
The Irish Independent Arkle Chase
4/5-Best Mate, 7-Knife Edge, 8-Dusk Duel, 10-Wahiba Sands, 12-Well Ridden, 12-Inn Antique, 20-Mr Percy, 20-Rodock, 20-Ross Moff, 25-Alcapone, 25-Exit To Wave, 25-Killultagh Storm, 25-Nomadic, 25-Red Striker, 25-Simply Gifted, 33-Ballinclay King, 33-Corniche, 33-Errand Boy, 33-Iorana, 33-Latalomne, 33-Moscow Retreat, 40-Balla Sola, 40-Damus, 50-Colins Double, 50-Fatehalkhair, 50-Gastina, 50-Gigolo Gerry, 50-Keeping The Faith, 50-Redemption, 66-Bold King, 66-Native Dara, 100-Big Perks, 100-Krabloonik, 100-Pippin's Ford, 100-Shafi.
Each way 1/4 odds places 1,2,3.
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