BHA still seeking clarity over finer details of Gordon Elliott's suspension

Gordon Elliott remains a live subject of discussion between the ruling bodies of racing in Britain and Ireland, it emerged on Wednesday when Julie Harrington, the BHA's chief executive, said she was still seeking clarity from the IHRB about the consequences of Friday's ruling and still considering whether the BHA needed to take further steps.

However, Harrington does not expect there will be any attempt to stop Elliott's former horses from running at the festival, where they will run in the name of trainer Denise 'Sneezy' Foster.

"We are really pleased that our colleagues in Ireland acted swiftly so that this isn't hanging over us throughout the festival," Harrington said. "It's not as simple as saying, let's draw a line under it and move on, but the sanction is in place, our temporary ban is now lifted and those horses are free to run for other trainers."

Harrington was pressed by reporters about suspicions that Elliott could still be involved in the training operation and was asked if there was any more detail about restrictions placed upon him under the terms of his six-month suspension for bringing the sport into disrepute.

"Rather than sanctions on Gordon Elliott, what you're talking about is conditions that would be placed on Denise Foster's licence," she said. "I'm in contact with the IHRB around understanding what those conditions are, for the good reputation of racing in Ireland and Britain.

"I'm also making it clear what our views are, because we want to make sure that any horses that are attending are clearly not under the Gordon Elliott flag. I'm waiting to hear what conditions will be applied to Denise and then we will also be able to look at, if we're not happy, what's available to us within our own rules."

Asked if the BHA was considering preventing horses from Cullentra House Stables taking part at the festival, Harrington said: "At this point we're having really good discussions with the IHRB so I'm not envisaging us getting to that point."

Denise Foster: has taken over the training at Cullentra HouseCredit: Alain Barr

Approached for a response, Denis Egan, the IHRB chief executive, said Foster was a trainer of longstanding and no new conditions were being attached to her licence, but he added: "Denise Foster is fully responsible for everything that takes place at the yard. Gordon is not supposed to be involved in training."

Regarding any question of Elliott assisting Foster, Egan said: "I think the level of assistance would be the same as he'd assist Henry de Bromhead or Willie Mullins [who have also taken charge of ex-Elliott horses in recent days]. If they have any questions about the horses, I'm sure he'd be available to answer them. But in relation to the day-to-day training, Denise is responsible for everything that goes on up there and she's given a commitment to that effect."

Harrington voiced the hope that, once the festival action begins on Tuesday, racing might hope for positive coverage focused on equine success. "We want the coverage to be about the great stories and the great achievements of the horses. It is the shop window for our sport, it's an opportunity for us to really shine and tell the positive stories that are linked to our sport.

"We're not naive. We know that people will have questions. But we don't want to detract from all the hard work that goes into preparing horses for the festival and it would be just such a shame for everybody who worked all year to get those horses ready to not get the airtime they deserve."

Cheltenham's managing director Ian Renton acknowledged the track's finances had taken a Covid-related battering over the last year despite "a three-year insurance policy which remains in place and which has been extremely beneficial to us and Jockey Club Racecourses". He explained that the cover is limited to losses flowing directly from the festival and did not include loss of income from annual members or boxholders or other events which have had to be cancelled.

Ian Renton: 'I'd love to think we can put the negatives behind us and look forward to four fantastic days' racing'Credit: Harry Trump (Getty Images)

However, he added: "The mood, hopefully, within the nation is beginning to look forward to the country opening up again and all the positives that can bring. At the festival, we tend to be the harbinger of spring and the beginning of things opening up in this country for the summer, and I think we can be that again.

"All the negatives that have been referred to, I'd love to think we can park those, put them behind us and look forward to four fantastic days' racing."

A large section of the racecourse has been given over to accommodation for staff from Irish racing yards attending the festival with runners next week, who will not be allowed to leave the track to mix with the local population and will only be allowed access to raceday facilities at times when they have a runner.

The 'Irish zone' extends to the nearby Ellenborough Park hotel where visiting trainers and jockeys will sleep, while stable staff are to be quartered within the area normally known as the Best Mate enclosure.

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