BHA ban on Irish runners in low-grade handicaps is a lamentable move

Nobody could have blamed the BHA for being cautious about allowing overseas runners in Britain early in the pandemic, allowing only runners in top-class races before restrictions unwound gradually.

However, plenty of eyebrows were raised in September 2020 when it was announced overseas horses would remain locked out of Class 5 and 6 handicaps/classified stakes on the Flat and Class 5 handicaps over jumps.

Despite the Covid-19 picture looking much different a year later, that regulation is still in place. There is no planned end date either, a BHA spokesperson confirmed earlier this month.