Hopes of racing resumption put on back burner again

LOCKDOWN: Government guidelines rule out quick restart as France returns

Hopes of a restart to racing in Britain being imminent appear to have been dealt a blow following an announcement from the UK Government that there will be no professional sport, even behind closed doors, in England until at least June 1.

The Westminister government road map for exiting the lockdown, imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus, was published yesterday afternoon, setting out the conditions under which various activities can be safely carried out (see also page 41).

Step two of the road map, which cannot begin any earlier than June 1, includes “permitting cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed-doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact”.

This will only be possible though if sufficient progress is made in limiting the spread of the virus between now and then, but the document, entitled Our Plan To Rebuild: The UK Government’s Covid-19 Recovery Strategy, says that “organisations should plan accordingly”.

Racing industry leaders were already meeting to discuss the implications of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s speech on Sunday evening.

The British Horseracing Authority tweeted yesterday morning: “Industry leaders are meeting to discuss the available information and will issue an initial response later today.

“The BHA is continuing to liaise with government regarding yesterday’s address, and we expect further guidance this afternoon and tomorrow.

“In the meantime we continue to plan for the resumption of racing, alongside industry colleagues.”

Racing has not taken place in Britain since the meetings at Wetherby and Taunton on March 17, which were both held behind closed doors.

Under a “best-case scenario”, two high-profile weekends had been pencilled in for the end of May, with the 1000 and 2000 Guineas on the first weekend in June.

The sport resumed in France yesterday for the first time since the coronavirus shutdown with action at ParisLongchamp.

Strict social distancing, the use of masks and severely reduced numbers of people on course were the order of the day, with everyone from stable staff to media reduced to the minimum to try to limit any potential health risks.

Sky Sports Racing and Equidia presenter Katherine Ford was one of the select few to be granted permission to report from the course.

She said: “It was a very different atmosphere, but it was just great to be on the track for such a high-class card.”

Hot favourite Victor Ludorum suffered a shock defeat as outsider The Summit secured a front-running victory in the Prix de Fontainebleau.

Victor Ludorum was last seen when winning the Group One Prix JeanLuc Lagardere last October and was expected to cement his Classic claims in this trial for the French 2000 Guineas over a mile.

Batwan swooped late to land the Prix de Saint-Georges. Maxime Guyon’s mount hit the front inside the final furlong, edging in front at the line to win on his first outing in an exactly a year.

Shinning Ocean put up a fine frontrunning performance to run out a cosy winner of the Prix d’Escoville.

Picture: PA. A screen grab taken from Sky Sports Racing of jockey Freddy Head wearing a face mask before a race at Longchamp yesterday.