The British Horseracing Authority says the fact the North East of England is a hotspot for Covid-19 infection rates should not jeopardise the sport’s resumption at Newcastle a week on Monday.
Last week, French racing authorities were forced to relocate fixtures from tracks in Paris and the north east of France after their government reversed a decision and stopped racing in Red Zones of high coronavirus infection.
Sunderland, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Middlesbrough have the worst infection rates in Britain at present.
But the BHA say their plans minimise risk, as well as contact, given the location of any racecourse.