RACING’S OPEN INVITATION

RACING will have four fixtures all with crowds when the national lockdown comes to an end next Wednesday.

Haydock, Kempton, Lingfield and Ludlow can open their doors to up to 2,000 racegoers, who will be required to wear face coverings at all times.

“We’re all looking forward to welcoming spectators back to racecourses,” the British Horseracing Authority’s Chief Executive Nick Rust (right) said.

“We ask spectators and everyone who is attending race meetings in the coming weeks to please enjoy the experience, while carefully following government guidance and racing’s protocols.”

With the exception of owners, who have been admitted in limited numbers since July 4, the sport has take taken place in front of empty st stands since its comeback from the 74-day Covid-19 blackout on June 1.

But the government revealed on Monday that s spectators could attend elit elite sport when lockdown is replaced by the return of the Tier system — Tier 1 is medium alert, with

Tier 2 high alert and Tier 3 very high alert — in five days’ time.

Haydock, Lingfield, Ludlow and Kempton — due to stage the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Boxing Day — are among 35 tracks in Tier 2, but 16 racecourses in Tier 3 must continue behind closed doors. Racecourses open to the public (first two weeks of new tier rules): Aintree, Carlisle, Catterick, Chelmsford, Cheltenham, Exeter, Fontwell, Haydock, Hereford, Huntingdon, Lingfield, Ludlow, Kempton; Plumpton, Sandown, Taunton, Wincanton.