Festival is facing new threat

Lambourn trainers could be subjected to increased pressure from their local farming community not to attend next week's Cheltenham Festival if a suspected case of foot-and-mouth disease at a nearby farm is confirmed.

This is despite trainers whose premises fall within infected areas not being prevented from attending race meetings.

But some trainers are reluctant to upset neighbours by resuming racing. Cheltenham officials have acknowledged this problem and stated the Festival would be at risk if Lambourn trainers were to pull out.

"If a major training centre was hit, that would be a major blow to the chances of the meeting going ahead," admitted clerk of the course, Simon Claisse.