'Sweet as a nut' - Covid passes make seamless introduction at Newbury

Racegoers at Newbury, where Sir Anthony McCoy and Harry Redknapp were among the number, expressed their support for the course's Covid-19 protocols on the day some restrictions returned in England.

From Wednesday, NHS Covid passes became required at outdoor sporting venues with 4,000 or more people in attendance, and spectators at Newbury, as well as participants on the seven-race card, were asked to provide proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow test result within 48 hours of the meeting.

Maurice Stringer, who lives not far from Alan King's Barbury Castle base, was impressed with the procedure.

Covid-19 pass inspectors check jockey Gavin Sheehan's passCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I did a printout at home but left the bit of paper there," he said. "I had also taken a picture of it on my phone and the guy on the gate was able to scan that instead. It was as sweet as a nut.

"It's quite impressive. There wasn't much of a queue and I didn't leave home any earlier."

Stringer, a regular racegoer who has been to 30 tracks in 2021, said he is not a fan of the return of face coverings in indoor areas.

"If it's pouring with rain, and you've got to spend most of the day indoors and wear a mask, I'd probably sidestep the meeting if that was the case. But on a [mild] day like today I can spend the day outside and it's not a problem," he added.

Russell Smith from nearby Kidlington was not relishing wearing a mask inside either.

"Getting in seemed well organised and worked quite smoothly," he said. "I've been to Wembley and Edgbaston and used the pass there when there were trials. I'd rather use it than wear a face mask, so we'll try to stay outside most of the day. If the weather was bad I'd think twice about coming rather than wear a mask inside."

He was with Gordon Hamilton, from Bicester, who added: "We came a bit earlier, which was the main thing, but otherwise it was just right – they've got it to a nice art. They've done it really well with plenty of staff, but what would it be like at Kempton on Boxing Day?"

Checks took place at NewburyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Richard Lees, from Newbury, was another satisfied with the experience.

"It was really smooth, easy," he said. "I didn't leave extra early and there was a bit of a queue coming in, but it didn't take long to get through and things were fine.

"I had no worries doing the pass and it makes me feel a little bit safer as well."

Similar measures have been in place in Scotland since October 1 and in Wales since October 11, while Chelmsford had decided spectators must show a Covid pass or recent negative test to attend its fixtures from December 2.

Newbury's chief executive Julian Thick said: "We've been very pleased with the way it's gone and are particularly grateful to the industry participants and our racegoers for reading the communications and turning up ready to display their QR codes and work with us to make it as seamless as we can.

"It hasn't been that difficult a process, but we haven't had much time to do it. Thankfully the technology is readily available and we could get the extra staff to manage the process."

A masked Nicky Henderson at Newbury on WednesdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Thick, who estimated a crowd of 4,000 would attend the fixture, added: "There are different rules for different sports stadia, depending on if you're fully seated or not, and most racecourses aren't fully seated.

"Where there are crowds of 4,000 or more it seems for the foreseeable future this is what we're going to have to do, and that's why we were keen to do it today as we have a bigger fixture coming up on Challow day on December 29.

"The key is getting as much communication to people in advance so they can come prepared."

Read more:

NHS Covid passes required for racecourse entry in England from next week

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