Sunday 31st May 2020 - racing set to resume tomorrow.

I am delighted to hear the news that the Government has agreed that racing can resume behind closed doors, with the first meeting being at Newcastle tomorrow (1st June).  Obviously the protocols we mentioned last week are in place, and those attending must complete a three-stage screening process, including medical checks before departure and on arrival.  At this early stage owners aren’t allowed to attend race meetings, and although this approach might be a bit draconian (compared to going to the supermarket – which is so unregulated, and far more dangerous!) but perhaps this was needed to actually get racing back on and I feel that they will relax the rules bit by bit as more information becomes available, and once racing has shown it can race again safely behind closed doors.  I hope that owners will be allowed to go racing in July which would coincide with when jump racing resumes……

Talking of which, now that we have more certainty we're upping the work for the summer jumps string, and we're beginning to bring some of the autumn runners in from their summer holidays too to build them up for an early campaign. The BHA are looking into packing out the autumn with some more options for us, and so hopefully we can hit the ground running.  In the meantime, I'll leave you with this wonderful view we're seeing most days from the bridle paths surrounding Folly House......