Manchester United fans are planning a major protest against their club's principal shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus at next month's CheltenhamFestival.
The `United 4 Action' group are hoping up to 250 of their number will join what they intend will be a "peaceful, vocal" protest on Gold Cup Day - Thursday, March 18th.
Cheltenham managing director Edward Gillespie confirmed he has received a request to stage a demonstration - and the Racing Post today also revealed 88Tattersalls enclosure tickets have already been sold for the final day of theFestival, which is the showpiece event of the National Hunt racing season.
United supporters are targeting race days involving horses owned by or connected to Irishmen McManus and Magnier, who have caused consternation at Old Trafford with their 99 questions to the board over the propriety of the club's transfer dealings.
Those inquiries come at a time when Magnier is involved in a legal disputewith United manager Alex Ferguson over the stud rights to stallion Rock of Gibraltar.
United 4 Action founder Sean Murphy said: "We don't want to cause any disruption but we want to get the message across to John Magnier and JP McManus that we want them to sell their shares in Manchester United and give the club back to the fans, because we don't want them.
"We've been in touch with the authorities at Cheltenham asking for permissionto be able to hold a peaceful, vocal protest - at a place they designate. I'mstill waiting to hear back from them."
PA