Racing suffers a blow in bid for spectators
THE prospect of spectators returning to elite sport in Wales before Christmas received a blow last week when the Welsh Government said it wouldn’t happen until February at the earliest.
The verdict was delivered during a discussion between government officials and representatives from horse racing, rugby, football and cricket. Clearly, the decision didn’t go down well with the various sports attending the online meeting, who had been hoping to secure permission for a limited number of spectators in a Covid-safe environment.
It means the biggest race meeting of the year in Wales, the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on Sunday, December 27, will go ahead behind closed doors. It is live on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing.
The meeting usually attracts a crowd of around 10,000 and it is extremely frustrating that even a small number of spectators couldn’t be given permission to attend.
Racecourses in England’s Tier 2 regions are now allowed up to 2,000 spectators and there is a strict set of protocols to follow to ensure the event takes place in the safest possible environment.
We are continuing our discussions with the Welsh Government in the coming weeks to try to convince it to follow England’s lead.
It was a memorable afternoon at Chepstow on Saturday for Bowen brothers Sean and James as they rode five of the seven winners. Sean had a double with Oscar Elite and Ask Me Early, and James went one better with a treble aboard Supreme Escape, Secret Reprieve and Slip Road.
Secret Reprieve, trained by Evan Williams, won the £20,000 Coral Welsh Grand National Trial and is now favourite for the big race itself.
It was a superb 48 hours for the Williams yard. At Sandown on Friday his exciting novice hurdler Star Gate won the Grade 2 Ballymore Winter Novices’ Hurdle and looks destined for a bright career. On the same day, he sent out Bold Plan to defeat the highly-rated The Big Breakaway in the novices’ chase at Exeter. Sean Bowen was on board.
Another Welsh trainer in good form is Sheila Lewis, and her hurdler Straw Fan Jack took the opening race at Aintree on Saturday with ease.
Next Sunday we announce the winners of the 2020 Welsh Horse Racing Awards. Despite the challenges of the last nine months, there has been plenty of success for Welsh trainers, jockeys, owners and stable staff on the track. It is important that is recognised.