Calls for National delay
TWO Grand National-winning trainers are supporting calls to delay this year’s race until betting shops are back in business.
Lucinda Russell and Kim Bailey are in favour of Aintree’s iconic contest being run a few days later than its April 10 slot.
Along with non-essential retail hit by the Covid-19 lockdown, UK bookies will be allowed to reopen on April 12 at the earliest.
Industry insiders are set to hold talks about the move with the racecourse’s owners the Jockey Club and the British Horseracing Authority.
With millions spent on the Randoxsponsored race each year, the move could inject significant cash into racing’s finances, through the levy the bookmakers pay the sport.
Russell, right, who won the race with One
For Arthur in 2017, said: “I’d be in favour of the move. The Grand National is one of the biggest betting events in the world and it’s important money goes back into racing.” PR director for Ladbrokes Coral, Simon Clare, said a “massive boost” was on the cards, if plans are approved. Bailey, the trainer of 1990 National hero Mr Frisk, added: “The revenue from betting is huge for the sport, we need to utilise the shops for the National.”
The Government previously rejected racing’s request to formally review the gambling levy this year.
As part of racing’s coronavirus recovery plan, the BHA and racecourses asked for operators to pay it via turnover instead of profits, as well as wagers on overseas races.