Preparations for next week's Cheltenham Festival continue apace but officials at the course admit that the situation could still change at any time.

Primary investigations on a suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at nearby Woolstone have drawn a blank, although secondary investigations remain under way by officials at the British Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

However, clerk of the course Simon Claisse said yesterday that the three-day meeting may still come under threat.

"I gather that the farm at Woolstone came under suspicion because there was a possibility that some of the stock may have come into contact with stock at another farm, he said.

"Basically it was investigated because of the traceability element, there was a trail that led to the farm. The primary tests revealed nothing but secondary tests are continuing.

"It's been five days and as every hour goes past obviously we get more hopeful but we are mindful of the fact that the situation could change at any time."

Claisse admitted that many factors could still contribute to the postponement or abandonment of the meeting.

"We have to be sensible," he said. "If there was to be a confirmed case in an area like Lambourn we would have to ask ourselves whether we could still go ahead.

"There are basically three issues for us to resolve before the meeting can start.

"Firstly, the issue of `Is it right for racing to resume?' which at present, after considering the scientific evidence, I believe it is.

"Secondly, do we remain outside existing exclusion areas and away from other outbreaks? And finally are other important areas also remaining outside of infection?"

All eyes will be on Lingfield on Wednesday when the Surrey track expects to host the resumption of racing in Britain after a seven-day suspension.

The latest situation at racecourses where meetings were originally scheduled from Wednesday is:

Wednesday: Lingfield (On) Catterick (Off), Bangor (Off).

Thursday: Carlisle (Off), Towcester (Off), Wincanton (Off). There will be an announcement today on a replacement fixture.

Friday: Ayr (Decision today), Sandown (On at this stage), Hereford (Doubtful - decision today).

Saturday: Ayr (Decision today), Sandown (On at this stage), Chepstow (Doubtful - decision today), Warwick (On at this stage), Wolverhampton: (No decision yet).

Michael Kinane teamed up with 49 to 1 shot Idol, trained by David Oughton, to take the mile and a quarter Group One Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin yesterday.

The Coronation Cup winner, Daliapour, who finished fifth, was beaten just over a length in a tight finish.

Silvano destroyed his rivals to land the Singapore Cup for Germany at Kranji racecourse yesterday. Another German horse, Caitano, took second place in the £400,000 contest.