EARLY SUMMER CLASSIC SHOW

THE 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas will be run on the first weekend of the coronavirus-ravaged 2020 Flat season.

In the wake of Boris Johnson’s Covid-19 lockdown update last Sunday, the British Horseracing Authority, initially hopeful of resuming in mid-may, pencilled in June 1 for racing’s restart.

And the

Newmarket

Classics, moved last month to June 6 and 7 — Royal Ascot is still scheduled to take place between June 16 and 20 — are to remain on those revised dates, the BHA announced yesterday.

The news means that connections seeking a Guineas tune-up must go overseas, and Roger Charlton (right), trainer of Quadrilateral, the 4-1 favourite for the 1,000 Guineas, said: “It may not suit some, but we have to eat what’s put in front of us. I wasn’t planning on having a prep with Quadrilateral. She seems fine and she seems happy.”

The Investec Derby and Oaks, which will be run at its traditional Epsom home this year after plans to restrict public access to the course were approved at a special meeting of the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators on Tuesday evening, is also set to stay on its revised date of July 4.

The Coral-eclipse at Sandown is due to take place the following day and is likely to be restricted to four-yearolds and upwards.

“We’ve been involved with the race since 1976, and this will be its 45th running under the Coral banner,” said the firm’s Simon Clare.

“It will be without crowds but the Coraleclipse is our flagship sponsorship and we are keen for it to take place.”

TURFISTES have become used to looking on in envy at the equine talent in Britain and Ireland, whose hegemony has seen four of the past five Prix de l’arc de Triomphe winners cross the English Channel.

But, when it comes to racing administrations, it is us who are on first-name terms with the green-eyed monster.

French racing made its return from the pandemic on Monday, overcoming a late hitch when President Macron, himself, over-ruled objections from other sports.

Longchamp’s glittering card was a triumph for

Olivier Delloye (right),

France Galop’s everaccessible chief executive who speaks on the record to keep his constituents up to speed — and whose dynamism got things done

What a stark contrast to the behind-the scenes ineptitude of the British and Irish top brass, whose impotence can’t be addressed by swallowing a blue diamond-shaped pill.

Irish racing’s leaders are still in talks with the Irish government, hoping to bring forward the proposed

June 29 return date — which falls after three Curragh