'I think it's wrong' - leading owner Dai Walters blasts Welsh crowds decision

Reaction from within racing to the Welsh government's decision to return sport behind closed doors has been swift, with leading owner Dai Walters and trainer Ron Harris both questioning the logic in the Welsh government's decision to depart from policy in England.

Walters is a major investor in jump racing through the founding of Ffos Las racecourse and his extensive ownership interests.

The Welsh government has decided all race meetings will be behind closed doors from December 26 until at least mid-January, meaning the Coral Welsh Grand National will be without a crowd for the second season running.

Disappointment at Chepstow as Covid rules put Welsh National behind closed doors

Walters said: "I think it's wrong; we should do exactly what England's doing. We're so close to the border and people are going to go to Kempton now instead of Chepstow, aren't they?

"I'm not against a shutdown, if it's needed, but we should all stick together; we're a small nation. It's stupid one doing one thing and one doing something else.

"This is bound to have an effect on racing. I'm so glad that I don't own Ffos Las now. Trying to get that to stand on its own two feet was hard work in the good times, now I can imagine it's heartbreaking."

Former Ffos Las owner Dai Walters described the Welsh government's decision on Christmas crowds as 'stupid'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Walters added: "The Welsh National is the golden day at Chepstow. It's going to make it even harder to get sponsors for races, the small bookies have a good day – there will be such a knock-on effect.

"I disagree with the Welsh Minister stopping it now, they should follow England. I live on the borders and every hour there are hundreds of cars going across the Severn Bridge. What difference will it make?"

Trainer Ron Harris, who is based near Chepstow admitted he feared it was coming. "It's unreal, one side of the border can go racing and the other can't. There's no sense to it, no logic," he said.

"We had this spell last year when we had a shutdown. England was carrying on and the little country of Wales was on stop. It's very hard for trainers with owners who want to go racing and take their friends.

"It's really sad that the Welsh National will be behind closed doors. It's a great spectacle and it's a big part of Christmas for Wales. It's a massive loss."

Secret Reprieve heads field of 30 for Welsh Grand National repeat bid

Fellow Welsh trainer Evan Williams will attempt back-to-back wins in the prestigious race with Secret Reprieve and although he admitted the atmosphere would again be eerie, he is relieved the race will be staged.

He said: "It is what it is; we can just be thankful the meeting goes ahead. It's not nice that crowds can't be there, but as long as they can keep the show on the road, that's the main thing.

"As long as you have a winner, you don't really focus on the atmosphere. It's tough on the owners, but if you have a winner it doesn't bear too much on the result. You don't really worry about that."

Economy minister for Wales Vaughan Gething said a £3 million fund would be in place to support sporting clubs and venues.

Dan Skelton said he was surprised by the Welsh government's move, while Paul Nicholls described the situation as "dismal".

Nicholls said: "The whole thing is dismal but as long as we can race, that's the main thing. For the track and everyone it is a big blow, but let's hope it's very much in the short-term and the effect of all these vaccinations everyone's done has a positive impact."

Skelton added: "It was quite unexpected, we don't know what's going to happen in England. It's not ideal, but it is what it is and what can we do – we have to get on with it."

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