Racing waits for yet more bad news

Racing was braced for more bad news today.

The Cheltenham Festival could be dealt a final knockout blow in the next 24 hours because of a suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease close to the course.

"We can see the farm involved across the valley from the racecourse," said Cheltenham's managing director Edward Gillespie, who has led a campaign to ensure the 13-15 March Festival goes ahead but may now be thwarted.

"The result of tests at the farm are not yet known," Gillespie said.