Morning all,
Well, I came off the cold list with Dubai Days success at Ayr yesterday. I was beginning to wonder when I would next provide the column with a winner. That’s one monkey off my back. Dubai Day’s victory was the third of three winners on the day for trainer Nick Alexander who has his horses in cracking form at present.
Racing Behind Closed Doors Again
There was bad news for racing. The Welsh Government announced yesterday that spectators are banned from all indoor, outdoor, professional and sports events in Wales from 26 December. This means the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on December 27th will once again be run behind closed doors. I suspect you’re more likely to catch Omicron variant down the local Tesco than outside in the Monmouthshire countryside.
Hot on the heels of that news. The Scottish Government announced a cap of 500 spectators at sporting events from December 27th which will last for three weeks.
Musselburgh’s New Year’s Days fixture will be held behind closed doors. As the racecourse said having 500 spectators wasn’t viable and only annual members, owners, trainers, and staff will be in attendance.
For now, England seems to be holding off adding more restrictions. How long that situation will last is any one’s guess. I fear the sport faces an uncertain few weeks which could run into months. I hope I’m wrong. The only positive is that racing will at least take place, even if it is behind closed doors.
Read More »Christmas Crackers – Part 1