Ten-time Grade 1 winner Un De Sceaux has been retired after suffering a suspensory ligament injury, trainer Willie Mullins has confirmed.

 

The brilliant chaser gained a legion of fans due to his enthusiastic front-running style. He won three Clarence House Chases, two Punchestown Champion Chases and a Ryanair Chase.

Unibet Champion Hurdle dark horse Coeur Sublime is in rude health for his Cheltenham rematch with Pentland Hills, according to owner Chris Jones, with connections hoping he can reverse the form of last year's JCB Triumph Hurdle.

 

The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old, who finished second to Nicky Henderson's hurdler at the 2019 festival, has not been seen since a below-par third in the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown in December but is reported to be in fine shape since.

First time since the Esha Ness national that never was in 93 there won't be a National. Guess it's technically the first time since WW2 that the meeting hasn't even taken place.

All horse racing in Great Britain will be suspended from Wednesday until the end of April because of the coronavirus outbreak.

 

On Monday, it was announced that racing would continue behind closed doors, although the Grand National meeting was cancelled.

 

Tuesday's meetings at Wetherby and Taunton go ahead without spectators.

 

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said the decision will be kept under "constant review".

 

Nick Rust, the chief executive of the BHA, said: "This is a national emergency the like of which most of us have never seen before.

 

"We're a sport that is proud of its connection to rural communities and to the local businesses that support our industry. But our first duty is to the health of the public, our customers and to racing industry participants and staff so we have decided to suspend racing following the government's latest advice."

 

Racing in Ireland continues, albeit behind closed doors, with the Irish Grand National meeting planned for 11-13 April and the Punchestown festival still scheduled to start on 28 April.

Racing in Ireland is set to continue behind closed doors despite coronavirus and after fixtures in Great Britain were suspended until the end of April.

 

However, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has introduced further restrictions because of coronavirus, including a maximum of one meeting a day.

 

HRI said its decision was taken to "maintain employment and incomes for people working in the industry".

 

It was also "on the basis of being able to achieve and maintain HSE advice".

The 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas could be run in early June and the Derby and Oaks in early July in a "best-case scenario" put forward by the BHA.

 

The season's first four Classics have been put back by the suspension of racing, which was extended this week.

 

But the cross-industry groups working on the resumption of racing have drawn up a programme that puts them either side of an unmoved Royal Ascot, which is scheduled to take place behind closed doors in its existing slot starting on June 16.

Races with a maximum of 12 runners ridden by senior jockeys in an extended Flat racing season are planned when the sport returns in Great Britain.

 

Action has been suspended since 17 March because of the coronavirus crisis but racing chiefs hope for a return behind closed doors next month.

 

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is working on a revised fixture list.

 

Initial proposals, dependent on backing for a return from the government, have been sent to racehorse trainers.

 

Analysis from the BHA's medical department indicates that more experienced riders are less likely to suffer injuries, and racing's leaders are keen that any return limits demands on the under-pressure NHS.

A look at a possible revised fixture list:

 

https://www.racingpost.com/news/coronavirus...e-in-may/432863

Application has gone in to stage the Derby and Oaks on July 4th at Epsom

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/52561479

Racing in France is set to resume on Monday behind closed doors as a restart to action in Britain edges nearer.

British racing is eagerly awaiting Sunday evening’s announcement from prime minister Boris Johnson in which he is expected to outline plans for the gradual easing of the coronavirus lockdown.

So with a start date of June 1st they just dump some of the trial races, move the 1000 and 2000 Guineas to the 14th/15 June, and the Oaks and Derby to July 10th.

French horse racing is set for more disruption just a week after the sport returned in the country, with some courses banned from staging events.

 

Government approval for racing has been withdrawn from areas still affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Longchamp, Saint-Cloud and Auteuil are among the courses in affected regions.

 

June's French 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas could switch from Longchamp to Deauville - in the north-west of France - as a result.

The BHA has amended its elimination scheme for two-year-olds being aimed at Royal Ascot in the light of what it anticipates will be wildly over-subscribed races when racing in Britain returns.

Jockeys will wear masks if racing resumes behind closed doors on 1 June, according to British Horseracing Authority (BHA) protocols.

 

If a return to action is approved by the government, the first meeting would be held at Newcastle.

 

Social distancing officers will ensure people stay two metres apart and face coverings will be mandatory for those likely to breach restrictions.

 

"The key principle is to act in line with government policy," the BHA said.

 

"To protect those working and competing at race meetings, and to reassure the wider community that the risks of spreading coronavirus have been kept to a minimum".

ITV Racing is set to return with a bang next week as the broadcaster has committed to showing 21 live races across next Friday, Saturday and Sunday's Group 1 cards.

 

In the channel's first live racing coverage since a behind-closed-doors fixture at Thurles on March 21, Ed Chamberlin and his team are set to show seven races each day from June 5 to June 7, highlighted by the Coronation Cup and Qipco 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas.

 

Chamberlin and regular broadcast partner Francesca Cumani will be joined by Jason Weaver as they deliver the show from home, while the direction and production team of the show are set to use innovative technology in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

 

Commentator Richard Hoiles will be based off site in a booth to call the races, while the Opening Show will also return on Saturday, June 6 on ITV4.

 

Oli Bell will present that programme from home, with input from Weaver, Hoiles and Matt Chapman.

Scottish Racing is in talks with the Scottish government about resuming the sport behind closed doors on 22 June.

 

Racing in Britain has been suspended since 17 March but fixtures are scheduled to resume on Monday.

 

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has allocated 24 meetings to Scottish courses across June, July and August pending approval.

 

The first in the diary is a meeting at Ayr on 22 June, followed by two at Hamilton on 24 and 28 June.

Plans for horseracing to return in Britain on Monday were given a boost by the BHA, with a spokesman for sport's governing body commenting on Friday that the absence of the sport is "nearly over".

 

Racing has been suspended since March 17 and the BHA is working towards a return at Newcastle on Monday. Race meetings will be held behind closed doors with stric

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:cheer:

Kameko wins the 2000 Guineas for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy