OPEN FOR BUSINESS
TIER 2 RACECOURSES GETTING READY TO WELCOME BACK PUNTERS
GOLDEN girl Hollie Doyle will be e one of the star attractions at Lingfield tomorrow when the public will be admitted for the first time since March.
The jockey, recently named the Sunday ay Times Sportswoman of the Year, is in action at the Surrey track – one of four racecourses to o welcome back punters.
Along with Haydock Park, Ludlow and Kempton – all in Tier 2 – they will welcome back up to 2,000 racegoers.
With the exception of owners, who have ve been admitted in limited numbers since July y 4, the sport has taken place in front of empty grandstands since its comeback from the 74- day Covid- 19 blackout on June 1.
George Hill, clerk of the course at Lingfield, said: “It was on March 13 when we last had racegoers at Lingfield, so we’re looking forward to welcoming them back.
“It’s been a long six months with not much atmosphere, as you can imagine behind closed doors, so we’re looking forward to getting going.
And, hopefully, it will be something we can build on heading into Christmas.”
Hill is delighted that some of the most recognised names will be riding at the Surrey track: “We’ve got Hollie Doyle and former champions Jim Crowley and Paul Hanagan.”
Meanwhile, Harry Skelton, in the saddle when Politologue won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March, is relishing teaming up with the grey again in Saturday’s Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown. Politologue, a 5- 1 shot, is one of eight entries headed by Altior.
Betfair spokesman Barry Orr said: “Paul Nicholls is looking for an astonishing 11th win in this race and his Haldon Gold Cup winner, Greaneteen, has been very popular having been backed at an antepost high of 20- 1.”
Latest betting: 4- 5 Altior, 4- 1 Greaneteen, 5- 1 Politologue, 7- 1 Rouge Vif, 14- 1 First Flow, 16- 1 Brewinupastorm, 25- 1 bar.