'We could be open tomorrow' - Ludlow first in line to welcome back spectators

Ludlow is well advanced in its planning as it looks forward to potentially becoming the first English racecourse to welcome back spectators after lockdown restrictions are eased next Wednesday.

The Shropshire venue, which was in the lowest tier of restrictions prior to the current lockdown, still has the lowest rate of Covid-19 cases among the four tracks with fixtures on December 2, the day England will exit lockdown and when elite sporting venues outside the areas most seriously affected by the virus will be allowed to host limited numbers of spectators.

And should it receive the green light from the authorities, Ludlow's clerk of the course Simon Sherwood is looking forward to "bringing some atmosphere back to our racetrack".