'This place needs crowds' - Chester hopeful racegoers will be back on May 29

As its biggest meeting ended in front of empty stands and Frankie Dettori returned to virtual silence rather than lusty cheers after winning the Cup on Falcon Eight, Chester admitted something has been lacking this week.

But racing director Andrew Morris raised hope that spectators will be back for the next fixture on May 29 and played down frustrations at the perceived slow rate of progress in allowing crowds back on track.

The May meeting was lost due to the shutdown last year so this was the first time the Cup had been run behind closed doors, rather than in front of the usual 25,000 or so racegoers.