THE Government blocked a sensational fan return at the Grand National because the Aintree race was deemed to come too early on the lockdown easing timescale.
The world’s most famous race takes place at the Merseyside track next Saturday, April 10.
Racecourse Association bosses had been in talks with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport over the possibility of welcoming fans back during the three-day festival as part of a test event.
But the Government decided it was too early for racegoers as the meet comes before the next nationwide relaxation of rules on April 12, say the Daily Mail.
This month’s Cheltenham Festival was held without fans and owners, with only trainers and stable staff allowed on the grounds.
Tickets have gone on sale for Glorious Goodwood – starting on July 27 – and York’s EBor, which begins on April 18.
Royal Ascot bosses are waiting to hear whether their crowd will be capped at 4,000 or 10,000 punters.
Another meet targeted as a test event was the Boodles May Festival at Chester, but, held on May 5-7, that falls too late on the timescale.
The Government wants the first round of test events to be completed at least two weeks before step three of their roadmap out of lockdown on May 17.
That is the date when crowds of up to 4,000 can go to outdoor venues and stadiums can hold up to 10,000 people.
Due to racing’s strict fixture list – a nightmare to change with all the logistics involved – it seems the sport will miss out on holding any test events.
However, racecourse hope they will designated as stadiums rather than outdoor venues.
That would allow the maximum 10,000 racegoers to return to the track, possibly as early as the Derby meeting at Epsom on June 4-5, say the Mail.
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