Scottish tracks look forward to return of crowds following end of restrictions

Racegoers are finally free to return to Scottish courses on Thursday following the end of Covid restrictions that have in effect barred paying spectators since before Christmas.

Kelso expects a "quiet start" for its meeting after first minister Nicola Sturgeon lifted the ban of more than 500 people attending outdoor events, but Musselburgh is hoping for 2,000-3,000 people for its Festival Trials meeting this weekend.

Thursday's Kelso card and betting

The track's popular New Year's Day meeting was held behind closed doors and general manager Bill Farnsworth said: "New Year's Day was a complete disaster, it was the worst thing that's happened during Covid for us. We were virtually sold out before Christmas, with the weather forecast we'd probably have released another 1,000 or 2,000 tickets so we would have had a record crowd for a jumps fixture at Musselburgh.

"Everything was aligned, the weather was fantastic and we ended up behind closed doors. It was really difficult to stomach. But we've put that beyond us and we're very much looking forward to getting crowds back."

He added: "It's difficult to forecast a crowd as people are generally booking a lot later – the lockdown caught people by surprise and they're now reluctant to buy tickets until they know for certain there isn't going to be another one.

Bill Farnsworth: 'We've put that beyond us and we're very much looking forward to getting crowds back'

"We can't compare it to other years and it's a difficult time of year to get a crowd but we'd like to think we'll get between 2,000 and 3,000 on Saturday, when we're up against 60,000 people watching Scotland playing England at Murrayfield. We're doing our best to get as many people in as possible but we're just happy to have the public in."

Managing director Jonathan Garratt is looking forward to the return of a proper crowd at Kelso, whose last meeting came just a day before the restrictions were removed.

"We had our annual members in for the two meetings we've had since Christmas and I think they enjoyed the extra space but you do miss the added atmosphere of having a larger crowd," he said.

"It's going to be a quiet start for us. We wouldn't expect a flood of racegoers through the turnstiles for a Thursday at the beginning of February. And during the period when we were in a form of lockdown nobody was booking for this meeting. But we've had a few inquiries and I'm sure people will come and enjoy the day.

Jonathan Garratt: 'We wouldn't expect a flood of racegoers through the turnstiles for a Thursday at the beginning of February'Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"The days that are selling terrifically well are the March Saturdays – Morebattle Hurdle day and the Go North weekend – those are the fixtures that seem to have attracted the attention and that people are really looking forward to."

Scottish trainer Nick Alexander has seven runners on the Kelso card and said: "It will be great to have a crowd tomorrow. It was a disappointing spell, particularly around new year when some very good meetings had no crowds."

Read the full story on recent Scottish crowd restrictions

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

No crowds for Musselburgh new year meeting following new Scotland limit of 500

Boost for Scottish racecourses as crowd limits to be lifted from Monday

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