FORGET the equine flu outbreak: Donald McCain isn’t the only trainer out there with a stable of thoroughbreds which he needs to deliver healthy to the start line for the biggest races of their lives.

In the world of athletics, much of Andy Young’s existence right now is spent sweating over how to keep star pupils such as Laura Muir free of that untimely cold or virus which could compromise their chances of glory at next months’ European Indoor Athletics Championships at the Emirates Arena.

The news was bad enough yesterday. Jemma Reekie, Muir’s training partner and the newly-crowned British indoor champion over 1500m, had been forced to withdraw from a high-class mile event featuring her training partner Muir at the Muller Grand Prix in Birmingham today after complaining of a sore throat and illness.

But at least that leaves her a fortnight to get it out of her system ahead of her big moment in the East End of Glasgow. And there is no suggestion of any contagion to Muir, who will still close the show in today’s high-profile televised event. The 25-year-old may have one eye on Kirsty Wade’s longstanding UK record of 4.23.86 in her last race ahead of her attempt to retain both of her European gold medals – in both 1500m and 3000m - from Belgrade in 2017 in front of a home crowd.

“Jemma got home from Birmingham then she woke up on Tuesday morning with a sore throat,” Young told Herald Sport. “It still wasn’t great yesterday [Thurs] so she had to scratch from the race.

“But if she is to go down with something it is better to be this week rather than next week and then into the European championships. That way we can hopefully get her healthy then give her a week of training. But she ran really well last weekend so she will be disappointed not to get a chance to build on that in Birmingham.”

Succumbing to cold and flu symptoms in such short order to a big event like Glasgow is no laughing matter for an athlete, or coach – even if working with animals in the manner which Muir has via her vet training for the last seven years is hardly the most risk-free environment.

Only last week, Young recalls Geoff Wightman – the father of injured Scottish middle-distance runner Jake, and PA announcer at last weekend’s British Championships – making light of the fact he made Muir sign autographs on a table at the other end of the track, away from the mob of young well-wishers and their germs. Perhaps tellingly, he regrets not taking the same precautions when it came to Reekie.

“I don’t like this part of the indoor season because you can keep fit and healthy right through then share a lift with someone with the flu and that is that, your indoor season is done and dusted,” said Young. “It was the same last year with the indoor season, you try not to make too much contact with people who might have coughs and colds, but after the world indoors last March Laura was out signing autographs with everyone and getting selfies and when we got back home within 48 hours we were both in bed with the flu. We’ve got a rule now, if anyone becomes ill, they are quarantined from training and they are not allowed back until I say so.”

The Arena Birmingham isn’t only Young’s favourite track, Muir – who settled for the British 3,000m title last weekend – also has fond memories of competing there too, stretching back far longer than her wintry dash to the venue last year. “She hasn’t actually run a 1500m or mile yet this winter, she has run the 5k, the 800, the 3k, so she wants to get a 1500m and let the legs get a feel for it ahead of Glasgow,” said Young. “It is a big race in itself, a big event, sold out, on BBC1.

“This is actually the site, of her first big Grand Prix win when she won against Hellen Obiri, Sifan Hassan and others back in 2014. That put her on the map for many people who wouldn’t have known her before. It is an important race on its own but also that final test of the legs, and strengthening of the legs ahead of two weeks’ time.”

“It’s the first time I’ve gone for the mile record indoors,” said Muir. “But the important thing is just to win the race. If I can run fast and get the record then it’s even better.”

Muir - and Reekie - are among the lucky ones, who know their berth in Glasgow is secure. Also secure for the European Indoors are Guy Learmonth, Chris O’Hare, Zoey Clark and Neil Gourley. With the selection window closing this evening, Eilidh Doyle will hope to book an individual slot in the 400m, with Eilish McColgan - who didn’t compete last weekend - hoping to secure selection in the 3,000m. Barring accidents, Andrew Butchart should be confirmed as part of the 3,000m while his partner Lynsey Sharp is in contention for an 800m spot.