Racing ban in restricted areas remains

The countrywide problem of foot-and-mouth disease would need to come under control or at least improve before the policy of not staging race meetings in infected areas would change, British Horseracing Board (BHB) racing director Paul Greeves stressed today.

His reiterated pledge came as it emerged that Wolver-hampton now finally finds itself within an infected area after surviving the threat for two meetings during the last five days.

The track had been a stalwart in the BHB's emergency racing programme, holding meetings at short notice when other fixtures fell.

The total number of racecourses now unusuable due to lying within these zones now totals 12 out of Britain's 59. Newcastle was the first to be lost, but the roll-call also includes Carlisle, Catterick, Chepstow, Hexham, Sedge-field, Stratford, Thirsk, Towcester, Uttoxeter and Worcester.

Cheltenham, Chester, Ripon and Wetherby all lie within 3.6km of an infected-area boundary.

But, despite the dwindling number of tracks available for racing, Greeves stated there was no change in BHB policy of not racing in infected areas.

This is despite suggestions from vets and scientists at the Ministry of Agriculutre, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) that, given the stringent disinfectant procedures in place at all training centres, yards and racecourses, the sport could continue even in these most sensitive areas of the country.