'It's the best news we could have' - trainers welcome boost to Royal Ascot crowd

Leading Flat trainers Richard Hannon and William Haggas were among racing's participants to express their delight that there will be an increased crowd of 12,000 spectators each day at Royal Ascot next month.

Hannon, who has enjoyed Group 1 success at the meeting with Barney Roy and Toronado, sent out his sixth Royal Ascot winner when Motakhayyel scored behind closed doors last year and said of Wednesday's announcement: "It's the best news we could have.

"It's our showpiece meeting and we need to involve as many people as we can. I imagine people are quite keen to attend these sort of events and it's important that racing gets its share of the crowd.