The Mail on Sunday

Racing ‘can return in May’

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HORSE RACING will be ready to resume in five weeks just in time for the first two Classics of the flat season, according to top trainer Ralph Beckett.

Beckett believes that providing correct measures are taken, racing can resume behind closed doors on May 1 just 24 hours before the 2000 Guineas is scheduled for Newmarket.

Racing in Britain was suspended by the British Horseracin­g Authority on March 18 until the end of April in response to the coronaviru­s pandemic.

Beckett, who is chairman of the National Trainers Federation Flat committee, said: ‘My view is that it is achievable and until we’re told we can’t — I’m hopeful.

‘I can’t go into too much detail, but there is a fairly straightfo­rward action plan and we just need to get the details right.’

Beckett suggested racing authoritie­s are planning to stage fixtures at more rural venues.

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