Simon Crisford to go it alone on the Newmarket Heath after positive test results

Simon Crisford will have to exercise his string in isolation in the afternoons if he wishes to use the Newmarket Heath facilities as Jockey Club Estates attempts to get headquarters back on track after the news of four positive equine flu cases at his yard on Fordham Road.

The trainer, based at Kremlin House, was already among the 20 Newmarket yards on lockdown after having a runner at Newcastle last Tuesday and would have hoped to have come off that list shortly but for the confirmation of a separate outbreak.

Concerned parties including Crisford, BHA director of equine health and welfare David Sykes, the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket Trainers Federation and Jockey Club Estates met at the Jockey Club Rooms on Newmarket High Street on Monday.

After a two-hour meeting Crisford said: "We've had a productive meeting and the future protocols of what goes on the Heath were discussed.

"None of the four horses that tested positive had temperatures this morning but as a precaution we kept the string in our covered ride, where we'll be until further notice."

Since the Donald McCain outbreak in Cheshire last week, around 20 trainers were not allowed to use the Heath until after 12.30pm, but that number has been falling as the negative test results have rolled in.

Unlike most training locations, as well as the gallops, Newmarket also shares vets, farriers and feed suppliers, which raises the prospect of potential cross-contamination.

Nick Patton, director of Jockey Club Estates, said: "The priority is to get the previous strings that were tested clear, so they can go back to normal exercise times, which will free up the afternoons for Simon Crisford. This will be a temporary measure for the benefit of everyone. We had a productive meeting with all relevant parties."

Chris Wall was not at the meeting but is a next door neighbour of Crisford's and said: "It's a trying time for everybody. We're being vigilant but don't have that much contact with Simon's string.

"I don't share a vet with him but I do make sure the vets that come here from other yards have changed their clothes before they enter the yard."

Get exclusive insight and live tipping at Punchestown on Sunday with Raceday Live - our up-to-the-minute service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app