Patcham trainer Julian Poulton was on the horns of a dilemma earlier this week.

He intended to run Sodelk in the Novices' Hurdle at Plumpton on Monday, but his landlord, farmer Tim Carnaghan, put moral pressure on him not to have a runner at the meeting because of the foot and mouth scare.

Julian withdrew the horse but has had to make a concession to the owner by halving his training fees.

He said: "I was in a no-win situation.

"By not running I risked the horse being sent to another trainer, but if I had run, there was the chance that my landlord, who was himself under pressure from neighbouring farmers, might consider not renewing my lease on the stables.

"Sodelk's owner is a working man, a lorry driver, who had taken a day off to go to Plumpton. Of course he wasn't pleased when I told him and, to placate him and keep the horse, I have reduced my fees for a while."

Carnaghan said: "I didn't exactly tell Julian he was not to go to Plumpton, but I did make it clear that I would be unhappy if he did.

"I'm glad to say he made the correct decision."