Donald McCain declares first two runners since equine flu outbreak

Donald McCain will have two runners at Musselburgh on Wednesday, his first since six horses from his stable tested positive for equine flu, the catalyst for a six-day shutdown of British racing.

It was revealed last night that the trainer had been given the all-clear to have runners again, with his string coming through the latest tests with no problems.

McCain suggested his yard would have runners at the East Lothian track's meeting, and the Cheshire-based trainer has declared two of his four entries.

Henry's Joy (3.45) will be the first runner for McCain, three weeks to the day of his last, with The Character (4.20) his other runner on the card.

McCain said on Monday night: "We are back in business. All the tests came back negative today.

"I cannot thank my staff enough for all the hard work over the last few weeks and all my owners for their unwavering support, it means an awful lot."

Three horses from the trainer's stables were revealed late on Wednesday February 6 to have contracted equine flu, leading the BHA to suspend racing from the next day.

Three more horses at the yard subsequently tested positive for the highly contagious infection, including Raise A Spark, who had run at Ayr on the Wednesday.

Racing remained shut down until Wednesday of the following week.

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