Wetherby racecourse ‘safer than supermarket’ insists Jonjo Sanderson

Today’s meeting at the West Yorkshire track will be the ninth this season where those permitted to attend have had to pass public health checks.

It also comes amid mounting speculation that elite sport could be put on hold if the Government chooses to tighten the current lockdown as Covid cases – and deaths – soar.

This led to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) denying speculation that it had been involved in discussions with the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Yesterday, the BHA posted on Twitter that “British racing continues behind closed doors this week” – meetings include yesterday’s fixture at Doncaster, today’s card at Wetherby and the North Yorkshire Grand National fixture at Catterick racecourse on Thursday.

The BHA then posted: “As racing continues behind closed doors, it is crucial participants adhere to protocols, at racecourses, on yards, and at home to protect the industry.”

It then listed the relevant guidelines; namely “maintain 2m social distance; wear a face covering at all times; wash hands frequently; do not go to work if you are unwell”.

Sanderson says the current raceday protocols were developed by the sport in conjunction with the Government and Public Health England before racing resumed on June 1 last year.

He says they continue to be refined, to take account of the national situation, and this means owners will not be allowed to attend Wetherby today.

“I am reasonably confident it is as safe as we can possibly make it, given the protocols we are working towards,” Sanderson told The Yorkshire Post.

“I genuinely believe there has been a degree of common sense-ness. When people have been required to self-isolate, they have done do.”

He also said that racecourses occupy large amounts of space where it is possible for those present to distance themselves from others.

“Given everything, I would put my hand on my heart that is safer to be here than in the supermarket,” he added.

Meanwhile Welsh National hero Adam Wedge hopes to be back in the saddle by the weekend as he takes a few days off to recover from an up-and-down day at Chepstow.

Before teaming up with Evan Williams on Secret Reprieve to justify 5-2 favouritism in the big race, Wedge had suffered two crunching falls.

“I’m still a bit sore, so I’m just going to take a day or two to let the body recover a little bit,” said Wedge.

“I think my adrenaline kept me going through the day – but it would have taken a lot to keep me out of the National.

“Fingers crossed I’ll be back for the weekend.

“It’s a fantastic feeling to have won it, it’s unbelievable and it was a great training performance by Evan to get the horse there in such great condition.

“He jumped very well and hopefully it’s the sign of a very nice career to come. He’s very inexperienced really, a lot of people forget he’s still a novice. I was so pleased for Evan, he’s having a great year what with a Grade One (Silver Streak in Christmas Hurdle) as well, it’s a sign of how well he knows his horses to get the best out of them.”