After speculation that it might well be scrapped, this year's Grand National has been cancelled.
Hours after PM Boris Johnson addressed the nation and told people to work from home where possible; avoid going to pubs and theatres and warned against mass gatherings, the biggest event in the British racing calendar has been pulled, just over two weeks before it was set to take place.
The Grand National's fate came via a statement from the Jockey Club: "“Following the government’s new public health guidance regarding avoiding social contact and stopping non-essential travel, and its statement that emergency services are withdrawn from supporting mass gatherings from tomorrow, the Jockey Club has decided that it is no longer appropriate to stage the event.”
“Jockey Club Racecourses, which runs Aintree and several of the UK’s leading racecourses, had been assessing the feasibility of running the world’s most famous steeplechase behind closed doors with minimal staff on site. The latest government information on the measures needed to contain the virus have led it to believe this is no longer a viable consideration.”
The announcement comes after The British Horseracing Authority confirmed that from Tuesday, all race meetings in England will take place behind closed doors until the end of March.
The move forced the postponement of the sold out Blinkers student race night that was set to take place at Newcastle Racecourse this Friday.
