RACING FINALLY CALLS A HALT...
RACING in Ireland will not take place until at least April 19 following an announcement from the Government. The sport had been continuing to stage meetings behind closed doors since March 13, as countries around the world try to limit the spread of coronavirus. However, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced yesterday that all sporting events, even those without spectators, would be cancelled from midnight. Racing in Britain was suspended from last Wednesday, with no action anticipated before May 1 at the earliest. Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) confirmed a halt to action, with key figures set to meet today to discuss the development. Also among the measures announced by Mr Varadkar was the closure of all betting shops. The Taoiseach also indicated the suspension is due to be in place until April 19, which means the Irish Grand National meeting will not take place over the Easter weekend as scheduled and sources indicated last night that the Fairyhouse race will not go ahead this year. Racing was held at Clonmel yesterday and Dundalk had been due to be in action today. Grand Nationalwinning trainer Gordon Elliott said: ‘If it’s three or four weeks and we get back, then it won’t be too bad. Everyone has to do their job and if we get back after a month it won’t be the end of the world. ‘Everybody is going to have to tighten up and hopefully we’ll get through it OK. ‘The racecourses have been doing a very good job, but unfortunately that’s just the way that things are and we have to do the best by everyone.’ County Tipperary handler David Marnane said: ‘We’re all in this together and we’ll just have to do the best we can. ‘It’s a devastating blow to us, but it is to everybody in the country. . ‘We’ll have to knuckle down and get through this. We will get through this and come out the other side, however long it takes. ‘We won’t lie down. For the greater good, I understand where we’re coming from.’