'It's come as a big surprise' - Gordon Elliott tests positive for Covid-19

Gordon Elliott will be a notable absentee from Leopardstown's Christmas meeting with the leading trainer revealing on Saturday that he is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

Elliott had taken a test following a return from travelling and admitted it had been a "surprise" to test positive for coronavirus as he was asymptomatic.

In a statement to RTE, Elliott said: "As part of the recommended return from travel Day 5 test, I have tested positive for the coronavirus. It's come as a big surprise as I've been asymptomatic, and I will now continue to self-isolate for a further ten days.

"Since the test result has come back, we have had all the staff here at Cullentra tested, and thankfully all tests have come back negative."

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Elliott is strongly represented in the big races at Leopardstown and Limerick over Christmas, with the likes of Ballyadam, The Storyteller, Fury Road, Sire Du Berlais, Presenting Percy, Delta Work and Samcro all set to be in action.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on racing in Britain and Ireland, with no spectators in attendance at any of the meetings on Saturday due to restrictions.

The discovery this month of a new mutant strain of coronavirus in Britain has prevented horses travelling to and from Ireland for races, while vast swathes of England, Scotland and Wales entered stricter lockdown measures on Saturday.

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