Newcastle to host bumper 10-race card as racing gets ready to return

BHA awaiting final approval for action to restart, but says ‘long break is nearly over’.

A bumper 10-race card is set to ignite the racing season at Newcastle on Monday, with the sport “counting down the hours” to its long-awaited resumption.

A total of 317 horses were declared before the balloting process from an initial entry of 369 for the first meeting in Britain since March 17, when racing came to an abrupt halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The British Horseracing Authority has been planning for a resumption on June 1 subject to Government approval – and Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of further easing of restrictions on Thursday appeared to boost chances of permission being granted.

The BHA said in a statement on Friday: “We’re counting down the hours to the return of racing and looking forward to official confirmation from the UK Government after it has published its guidelines for the resumption of sport in the next day or so. The long break is nearly over.

“This morning, we’ve been busy processing the declarations received for Newcastle’s fixture on June 1 and we are now implementing our new medical screening procedures to ensure we safeguard those who plan to be there on Monday for racing’s return.”

A maximum of 120 runners are set to line up at Gosforth Park, with all contests limited to 12 starters.

The initial eight races increased to 10, with both the 10-furlong Betway Maiden Stakes and the six-furlong Betway Novice Stakes divided.

The first race is scheduled for 1.00pm, with the last contest due off at 6.15pm.

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