THE Grand National, due to take place on April 4, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The news has been announced by officials at the Aintree Racecourse.
It comes just hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the UK to be vigilant as the virus sweeps the country as well as the globe.
Renowned as the world’s greatest steeplchase and the biggest betting event on the racing calendar, this year’s race had been due to see Tiger Roll bid to join Red Rum as the only three-timer winner.
A statement from JCR read: “Following the Government’s new public health guidance regarding avoiding social contact and stopping non-essential travel, and its statement that emergency services are withdrawn from supporting mass gatherings from tomorrow, the Jockey Club has decided that it is no longer appropriate to stage the event.
“Jockey Club Racecourses, which runs Aintree and several of the UK’s leading racecourses, had been assessing the feasibility of running the world’s most famous steeplechase behind closed doors with minimal staff on site.
“But the latest government information on the measures needed to contain the virus have led it to believe this is no longer a viable consideration.”
It was reported earlier on Monday that racing will go behind closed doors at all meetings in Britain from Tuesday, initially until the end of March.
The fixtures at Wetherby and Taunton will be the first in England to be staged without paying members of the public – a move that had been anticipated following a statement on Sunday evening.
A statement on Monday read: “Racing industry leaders have confirmed a plan to continue racing behind closed doors from tomorrow.
“Any fixtures that take place in England, Wales and Scotland, initially until the end of March, will take place without spectators and with restrictions on the number of attendees.
But now coronavirus has claimed the legendary Grand National, just days after the similarly iconic Cheltenham Festival finished.
