ROLL BID MAY GO INDOORS
Virus threat to National
CORONAVIRUS could force Tiger Roll to stage his bid for Grand National immortality behind closed doors on April 4.
A crowd of 70,000 flocked to Aintree to watch Gordon Elliott’s (below) 10-year-old land the world’s most famous steeplechase in 2018 – and the same number saw Davy Russell’s mount follow up 12 months later.
The government’s “business as usual” approach to COVID-19 has enabled top sporting events in Britain to take place as planned – for now.
But experts predict the spread of COVID-19 will place Aintree bosses on the horns of a dilemma – run the race in front of empty stands, or don’t run it at all.
“The government is clear in its guidance that sporting events should carry on as usual at present,” said a
British Horseracing Authority spokesperson yesterday.
“We continue to work with government to plan for a wide range of possible scenarios.”
All domestic sporting events in Italy have been banned until 3 April, while no fans will be present at tonight’s Champions League clash between Paris St Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
But the National generated £150million in off-course turnover in 2019 and bookies are keen for Tiger Roll to be given the chance to rack up a unique National hat-trick – Red Rum landed the race in 1973, 1974 and 1977 – even without a crowd at Aintree.
“The National stands alone as the top betting race in Britain,” said Ladbrokes’ Simon Clare. “It is 12 times bigger than the next biggest race, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, so it’s vital that it takes place.”