No crowds in Wales and Scotland as Johnson leaves English courses in limbo

Racecourse executives in Wales and Scotland voiced disappointment and frustration on Tuesday with the loss of all paying crowds over Christmas and the new year, while courses in England remain in limbo after UK prime minister Boris Johnson promised no new restrictions before Christmas but reserved the right to act swiftly in the days after December 25.

In a video address on Tuesday evening Johnson said: "We can't rule out any further measures after Christmas and we're going to keep a constant eye on the data. We don't think today that there is enough evidence to justify tougher measures before Christmas."

Kempton's King George VI Chase meeting as well as popular Boxing Day fixtures at Wetherby, Huntingdon, Sedgefield, Market Rasen and Fontwell are all currently due to go ahead on December 26 without restrictions to crowd size.

The stands are empty as Frodon leads the field in the 2020 King George at Kempton, but it could be a different picture this yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Chepstow's Welsh Grand National card and Musselburgh’s New Year's Day meeting are the most high-profile fixtures to be affected after the two devolved governments brought in tough new restrictions on events.

The Welsh government released a statement late on Monday night imposing a behind-closed-doors policy for all sports events to begin on December 26 with no official end date.

And on Tuesday afternoon Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon set a limit of 500 on outdoor attendance for up to three weeks from Boxing Day, admitting that sports events during that period would be “essentially spectator-free”.

Among other measures unveiled was a return to table service in Scottish hospitality settings, meaning even a nominal crowd beyond annual members, owners and trainers is not viable at Musselburgh, which will race on both January 1 as well as on the extra bank holiday on January 3.

Musselburgh executives had been banking on a New Year's Day crowd of 6,000 before Tuesday's announcements on crowds in ScotlandCredit: John Grossick

"We were hoping for 1,000 people, which is pretty sparse on a racecourse, so we were disappointed when it was 500,” said Musselburgh chief executive Bill Farnsworth.

"But the worst news was that it has to be seated service. For us it is completely unviable to do that on New Year's Day.

"We can't imagine people will want to sit outside drinking on a picnic table on January 1. Staff costs double, sometimes treble, on New Year's Day and it barely washed its face doing table service for 1,000 people in the summer. Doing it for 500 people with double wages in the winter doesn't add up.

"So regrettably we're back behind closed doors. We were going to do 6,000 ticket sales and we were just about there, just a few hundred off selling out.”

Farnsworth added: "We feel the responsible decision is to make this a behind-closed-doors event with only our own annual members, horse owners, trainers and staff in attendance. It's hugely disappointing.

Musselburgh chief executive Bill Farnsworth says a cap of 500 means the track can only host annual members, owners and trainersCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"This lasts for three weeks and the only positive is that there will probably be some built-up demand and we've got our Festival Trials meeting on the first weekend in February to look forward to."

Musselburgh will offer customers the choice of a full refund or the chance to roll over tickets to later fixtures.

Kelso is due to race on December 29, while the news will be a major blow to Ayr, which races on January 2.

Both the Scottish and Welsh governments have acted while still waiting on a complete picture in terms of the data on how clinically serious the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 is, and the effect its rapid spread has on hospitalisations, while in Wales the cabinet has yet to finalise whether it will place extra measures on indoor hospitality after Christmas.

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

Racegoers watch on as Potters Corner and Jack Tudor win the 2018 Welsh Grand NationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Chepstow chief executive Phil Bell said his team had been expecting a crowd of around 9,000 for Coral Welsh Grand National day on December 27, the biggest racing fixture of the year in the country.

"The Welsh government has been the most cautious of the devolved nations since Covid-19 started, so it's no big surprise,” said Bell. "But it's obviously disappointing for our customers, our sponsor, the staff and the whole team.

"We sold 6,000 general admission tickets, but it had slowed a lot in the last week. We normally would do anything up to 3,000 in the last week – at least another 2,000 minimum between now and the day – as often the weather has an impact. Hospitality at restaurants in bars and restaurants has been sold out for a month at 800 people too."

Bell added: "This year with the weather being in our favour, had this not happened we'd have been close to sell-out without a doubt. It's our highlight of the year, but we've got to deal with the cards we've been dealt."

2.50 Chepstow: Coral Welsh Grand National racecard and betting

Secret Reprieve (centre) on his way to victory in the most recent Welsh Grand NationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Reflecting on the news Venetia Williams, who won the Welsh National in 2014 with Emperor’s Choice, said: "It's very unfortunate for Chepstow and racing fans, but it is what it is.

"The main thing is that racing takes place, but it's very sad. Many of my family were very much looking forward to it for almost their annual trip to the races. So many people only go racing once a year at Christmas, and for all of them it's very unfortunate."

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Read more Covid-19 news:

Uncertainty for racing as Johnson refuses to rule out further Covid restrictions

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