Traditional Epsom home for Derby is preferable, says Ryan Moore

Plans are in place for a phased resumption of racing behind closed doors in Britain when Government advice says it is safe to do so, but the first four Classics of the season will not be run on their scheduled dates.

A “best-case scenario” from the British Horseracing Authority has tentatively suggested the Guineas fixture may take place in early June and the Derby and Oaks in early July.

Moore, who has won the Derby twice, with Workforce and Ruler Of The World, said: “It’s a tough situation for everyone, we just have to make the best of it.

“I wouldn’t like to see the Derby run anywhere else, hopefully we can run the Classics in their rightful places. If the dates have to be moved, then that’s the way it will have be, but I very much hope to see Epsom run the Derby.”

Moore already has experience of racing behind closed doors this year, in Hong Kong, and believes riders will have no problem adapting in Britain if a suitable way forward can be found.

The former champion jockey said: “It’s very unique in Hong Kong, all the horses are trained in the same location, and the jockeys and trainers live in the same place and so do their staff.

“They put everything into a bubble and have the resources to be testing everyone very regularly and are at a massive advantage for keeping racing going on that way.

“Behind closed doors isn’t ideal, but if that’s what has to be done it won’t bother anyone riding.

“They’re doing it in Australia as well, again though a lot of the horses are trained on the track and it’s a very different set up to what he have in the UK, Ireland and France in regards to where horses are stabled and staff live, so we have much bigger hurdles to overcome.

“I’m sure they are looking at what they are doing in Hong Kong and Australia to keep their shows going, but it’s a lot tougher to do that here than it is in Hong Kong and the reality is over there they were a lot more aware of it, they’ve had to deal with SARS and the like. I think they were a bit ahead of us.

“By working together and learning from others hopefully at some stage we’ll get back to some sort of normality.”

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