Manchester United have asked their supporters to call off racecourse protests against major shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus. Feared demonstrations failed to materialise and the Old Trafford club hope that will continue to be the case.
Both courses were on their guard following Friday's disturbances at Hereford, orchestrated by a group calling themselves the 'Manchester Education Committee'.
Francois Doumen, reflecting on the absence of any protest against the JP McManus-owned Baracouda at Sandown, said: "We were lucky not to see such nonsense. It was maybe out of respect to the champion."
United, mindful of the negative public image such protests would produce in the wider sporting world, have called on their fans to refrain from further action.
"While the board understands the concerns of the fans, it cannot possibly condone any disruptive or criminal activity, and would urge all fans to refrain from such action because this will do damage to the reputation of the club," said a United spokesman.
McManus has runners at Leopardstown on Sunday and the racecourse manager Tom Burke said: "We are aware of the security issues involved should such a protest arise."
did they not think that the activists would have been at the match yesterday!
A quote here from the new Racecourse manager at Hereford:
Hereford general manager Katie Langdell, experiencing a baptism of fire on her first race-day in the job, said: "There was a police presence at the course today, although where it is now I do not know.