Cheltenham: we'll do everything we can to get some crowds in if allowed

A decision on whether this year's Cheltenham Festival will take place with spectators or behind closed doors is to be left until as late as possible with the course confident of being able to accommodate a crowd even if government approval is given at short notice.

The Cheltenham Festival starts on March 16, just eight days after the date given by UK prime minister Boris Johnson for the potential reopening of schools, a point which is widely regarded as being key for the nation to begin exiting coronavirus lockdown measures.

Cheltenham chairman Martin St Quinton said contingency plans were being made for crowds of a few thousand people down to a spectatorless festival, with owners "absolutely number-one priority" for attending if any restrictions are relaxed for the meeting.