Cheltenham to go ahead hits shortest price yet in record Betfair market

Punters continue to express significant confidence in the Cheltenham Festival taking place next week even as positive coronavirus cases in Britain passed 200 for the first time on Saturday.

The price for ‘yes’ in Betfair’s ‘will racing go ahead?’ market for Cheltenham hit its lowest figure on Saturday of 1.09 (1-11), with over £3 million traded on an outcome that has been monitored regularly by racing fans and professionals for indications of public feeling.

Barry Orr, Betfair’s head of racing PR, said: “The ‘Will Racing Go Ahead? Cheltenham’ market continues to break Betfair Exchange records. Not only is it the most viewed market in the history of the exchange it is now also the biggest ever horseracing ‘special’ market with £3.25m matched.

“Thankfully ‘yes’ is now the shortest it has ever been at 1-11 and racing fans will be glad to hear that continues to come in for strong support.”

More than 21,000 people in Britain have been tested for Covid-19, which originated in China, with 206 returning positive for the virus. In Britain, two elderly people, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s, with underlying health issues have died as a consequence of the illness.

Boris Johnson: has warned of a substantial period of disruptionCredit: David Rogers

The BHA continues to liaise with government about coronavirus and has been adopting a ‘business as usual’ approach, as outlined by prime minister Boris Johnson.

Britain continues to operate in the containment phase of the government’s four-stage plan for handling coronavirus, although the country is “teetering on the edge” of sustained transmission of the virus, according to a leading medical expert.

Jenny Harries, England's deputy chief medical officer, told the BBC that a decision about the next phase – delaying the spread of the virus – would depend on how fast the number of cases rose.

This could include the closing of schools, requesting people work from home and limiting large crowds gathering, as has been the case in Switzerland and France.

The BHA’s head of public affairs Ross Hamilton is set to attend a planned meeting in London on Monday between sports organisations, broadcasters and ministers to discuss potential contingency plans in the event of a further spread of the virus.

Cheltenham has encouraged anyone showing signs of coronavirus – a cough, a high temperature or shortness of breath – and that has been to or transited to high-risk countries, to not travel to the festival next week.

If you are interested in this, you should read:

Cheltenham stepping up hygiene measures to combat coronavirus threat

Cheltenham issues coronavirus health advice for festival racegoers

Positivity increases over Cheltenham Festival despite rising coronavirus tally

Cheltenham businesses keeping fingers crossed in face of coronavirus threat

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com