British racing to get back on track

Four meetings planned in ‘risk-managed’ return with missed marquee races rescheduled for weekend

RACING in Britain will resume with four meetings tomorrow, following a six-day shutdown because of an outbreak of equine influenza, the British Horseracing Authority announced late last night.

The sport has been on hold since last Thursday, after three cases of the highly-contagious virus – subsequently rising to six – were identified at the yard of Grand National-winning trainer Donald McCain in Cheshire.

Hopes of a resumption being possible this week appeared to fade late on Sunday night, when it was revealed four positive tests had been discovered at Simon Crisford’s stable in Newmarket, however, last night’s announcement declared that it would resume “in a controlled, risk-managed manner”.

The news means fixtures will take place over jumps tomorrow at Musselburgh and Plumpton, and on the Flat at Kempton and Southwell, while there will also be Irish racing at Fairyhouse.

Major weekend cards are scheduled for Ascot, where the Betfair Ascot Chase is the feature, Haydock, which will host the William Hill Grand National Trial, and Wincanton, where the Betway Hurdle is the headline attraction.

The BHA said in a statement: “After consultation with its veterinary committee, and based on the latest tests conducted by the Animal Health Trust, the BHA’s chief regulatory officer, Brant Dunshea, confirmed that racing could resume, but only with strict biosecurity controls in place.”