It's too early to tell if Istabraq's chances of winning the British Champions Hurdle for the fourth time could be endangered by foot-and-mouth disease travel restrictions.
Mr Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of the Irish Turf Club, said it was business as normal at present. "Irish horses are running in England today. We have issued some guidelines re direct transportation to racecourse stables and disinfection of vehicles. No materials such as hay or straw are to be brought back in," he said. Cheltenham is three weeks away (March 13th-15th) so it's too early to tell, he added.
Mr Peter McNeille, spokesman for Cheltenham racecourse, said they were quite worried. "The last time this happened was 30 years ago, and racing ground to a halt," he said.
"We would receive between 60 and 70 entries from Irish runners for the Cheltenham festival. The entries from Ireland were very important." The clerk of the course, Mr Simon Claisse, was in discussions with Mr Peter Webbon, the Jockey Club's senior veterinary officer, and the British Ministry for Agriculture, he said.
"But let's not press the panic button yet. At present there are localised restrictions on confirmed cases, but as yet there has been no other impact. We will continue to monitor the situation."