We must be ready: Richard Fahey and Luke Morris support plans for a return

Leading trainer Richard Fahey and top all-weather jockey Luke Morris have backed plans to race at a limited number of racecourses under strict quarantine conditions once it is deemed safe by the government.

The Racing Post on Wednesday revealed the industry group responsible for the resumption of racing was considering a plan to return to action at quarantined tracks, with Hamilton, Lingfield and Newcastle mooted as potential candidates.

A BHA statement on Thursday evening said that the group would review resumption plans next week, and Group 1-winning trainer Fahey believes racing must be as prepared as possible for the sport to return.

The trainer said: "Nobody knows where we are going to be in ten days, but we need to be prepared for any big changes and at least I feel like we are doing something now and if God looks upon us and we get a break in this coronavirus we need to be ready. The more we all try [to come up with plans] the better.

"What we need is consistency and at Newcastle we can race every day. Hamilton is also a good track and if we can get a couple of meetings on there a week then brilliant – but you can't see them racing there every day, whereas on the all-weather tracks you can."

Fahey, like many trainers across Britain, is desperate to get the Flat season up and running as soon as it is safe to do so.

He added: "I felt a few weeks ago that there was nothing happening. I understand it's an extremely difficult situation but if we don't make any plans then we definitely won't race.

"We're in a position – just like everyone – where we have a lot of horses to run and if it's deemed to be safe and everyone is happy to race then we should."

Morris, a leading rider on the all-weather who had notched up 46 wins in 2020 before the coronavirus halted the season, also welcomed the proposed plans.

Luke Morris: particularly keen on the idea of racing at Newcastle and LingfieldCredit: Edward Whitaker

He said: "Personally, I would be more than happy to return as soon as possible, obviously providing it is safe to do so, but I feel those three tracks – in particular Newcastle and Lingfield – would be more than capable of hosting racing.

"A big bonus for racing on the all-weather is how much easier the tracks are to maintain than on the turf. It's just a case of a tractor going round to make sure the going is standard and fair to race rather than having to maintain the going of a turf track, which is much more difficult. It keeps the number of personnel down to a minimum and gives us the best chance of returning.

"Hamilton geographically is a little more out the way for most people but certainly Newcastle for the northern yards and Lingfield for the south would be ideal. They have hotels at the tracks and have good facilities so would work well for racing to resume under the parameters in place."

'We shouldn't be making too much noise'

Nick Alexander, who is the Scottish representative for the National Trainers Federation, believes Hamilton would be a good fit given its facilities, but added decisions should be made only when the government gives the green light to resume.

Alexander said: "Preparations need to be in place but I don't think it's appropriate to be making too much noise about it until there is some sign of the government easing their restrictions.

"Hamilton is well prepared for this kind of situation. It has a very good hotel on-site and it is strategically located near a good motorway system."

Alexander added that Perth – well-known for its summer racing – also has the facilities in place for racing to return should jumping get the go-ahead from July 1, the earliest date for resumption following the BHA's suspension of racing over jumps last week.

He added: "Perth also has a hotel on-site but with jump racing off until July it will have to wait. However, if and when the jumps does get going again, then Perth is another that could possibly work during this situation."

Betfair Exchange introduced a market on whether racing will return before June 1. 'Yes' had opened up at around the even-money mark, but was backed into 1.8 during Thursday.

Ladbrokes also opened a market on whether Royal Ascot was likely to go ahead, offering 2-1 that the meeting gets the green light and 4-11 it does not.

Other Ladbrokes markets

Glorious Goodwood to take place on July 28, 2020

2-5 Yes
7-4 No

Galway festival to take place on July 27, 2020

4-11 Yes
2-1 No

Read more:

British racing exploring possibility of return to action at quarantined tracks

Guineas and Derby meetings to be held later in the season, Jockey Club announces

Royal Ascot to take place behind closed doors if given green light

Racecourse groups forced to furlough staff due to the coronavirus

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