Racing News: Officials at Cheltenham have yet to make a decision on whether disgruntled Manchester United fans should be allowed to hold a protest on Tote Gold Cup day.
However, managing director Edward Gillespie stressed yesterday that he is keen to "keep dialogue open".
As many as 18 sets of fans are reportedly ready to demonstrate against major club shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus, who are involved in financial in-fighting at Old Trafford.
In a statement released to the Racing Post, United4Action claim 15 "cells" of fans will be in the Tattersalls enclosure and three in the Courage enclosure. At a given time, these "will be activated at two or more very specific points with the idea that this will cause immense embarrassment to Mr McManus."
The action will take place unless Gillespie grants the group permission to stage a protest. "We have not made a decision, but we have progressed our own thoughts and we are beginning to understand the sort of people we are dealing with," he said. I think that I will respond to them today, just to keep the dialogue going, but for one reason and another this week, I have not had chance to consult with my board.
"I should be talking to them (the board) next week, but I don't know what the best answer is at present."
A group of fans caused a 10-minute delay at Hereford last week when they staged a protest on the course and since then most tracks with a McManus-owned runner have been keeping a watchful eye on security.
Gillespie is considering the security and safety implications of a protest: "Our first priority is, of course, the safety of the horses and the people handling the horses, then we must consider the safety and security of our customers."
"We don't want people to be concerned about coming here and being worried about what might happen - we don't want to spoil the fun of the day as people come here to enjoy the sport and see the horses. We are keen to keep the dialogue open, but hopefully we can continue discussions in a more private way in the coming days."
Ireland's sole challenger for today's Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury Risky Reef is expected to produce a big run. The seven-year-old, trained by Andrew Lee, made a successful raid on Britain last April when beating subsequent Swinton Hurdle winner Altay in a Listed hurdle at Aintree. He has had only one start this campaign, when fourth to the smart Back In Front at Punchestown in November.
