Returning owners will be safe on racecourses says John Gosden

CHAMPION trainer John Gosden believes owners will be “in as safe an environment as you can possibly have” when they return to the racecourse in the spring.

British racing has confirmed plans to welcome owners and amateur riders back on course from March 29 with a mid-May return of spectators, in line with the Government’s road map for easing the coronavirus restrictions.

The British Horseracing Authority announced its proposed schedule on Friday evening, following this week’s publication of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s four-step route towards the end of lockdown over the coming months.

Tamaroc Du Mathan ridden by Harry Cobden clears the last to win The Close Brothers Pendil Novices' Chase at Kempton Park on Saturday - owners will be permitted to return to racecourses form the end of this month.

Gosden – whose Mishriff landed a stunning victory in the Saudi Cup last month – attributes the huge open spaces on our racecourses as a watertight reason why the Government should loosen the shackles.

He said: “We proved all last year that we are in as safe an environment as you could possibly have.

“Through lockdown, we’ve all looked forward to late March and early April when spring happens.

“As soon as the Government gives us the green light we have hundreds of acres of huge open spaces on our racecourses, which some people haven’t quite clocked.”

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