Andrew Gemmell: on-course experience 'soulless' for owners since resumption

Paisley Park's owner Andrew Gemmell has described the current on-course experience at Britain's racecourses as "soulless" and is hoping more is done to get spectators back to tracks in the near future.

Gemmell, whose brilliant hurdler was unable to successfully defend his Stayers' Hurdle crown at the Cheltenham Festival in March, has attended meetings at Stratford and Uttoxeter since the resumption of racing but has been left cold by elements of the experience.

"It is soulless at present but we have to make the best of it for obvious reasons," said Gemmell, who has been blind since birth and relies on a guide to assist him when attending meetings. "Speaking to your trainer and jockey over a fence, for instance, doesn't feel quite right.