HORSE’S MOUTH
It’s the talk of the Toon as racing resumes at last
NEWCASTLE takes centre stage today as racing becomes the first major sport to return in Britain after the coronavirus shutdown.
Racing has been suspended since March 17 but after 11 weeks it is back, with the first meeting giving us a bumper ten races on the all-weather at Gosforth Park this afternoon, starting with the Betway Welcome Back British Handicap at 1pm.
The action will take place behind closed doors, with strict socialdistancing guidelines in place. Everyone attending will have medical checks on arrival and before departure, while face masks will be required for certain groups, including jockeys and stalls handlers.
A bumper total of 369 initial entries
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FRANKLY DARLING 5.40 NEWCASTLE
were whittled down to 120 runners before any defections, with 12 per race. Champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who has three rides today, has admitted he is relishing getting back to work, saying: ‘I’ve been about two months completely unemployed.
‘I’ve been passing the time by walking and trying to keep on top of my fitness. I’ve been doing loads of cooking – I don’t think I’ve improved!
‘Netflix wore off after a few weeks. The first six weeks of lockdown I could hardly ride out, but the last fortnight or so I’ve been able to go into different stables and have a feel of some horses. That gives me a focus, otherwise it’s very difficult to roll out of bed and have nothing to do.
‘We’ve all been in regular contact
with each other. We’re going to be split into different groups and have our own area in the weighing room. There won’t actually be any need for us to get within two metres of each other.
‘We are fully versed on the protocols and I feel comfortable that we can adhere to them correctly and be good
role models for other sports.’ British Horseracing Authority chief executive Nick Rust believes the return of racing can give the nation a boost.
‘I’m sure it will be welcomed by all those who’ve missed the excitement of live sport,’ he said. ‘We hope it will lift the nation’s spirits in difficult times.’