Racing News Headlines

A drive-in coronavirus testing centre is to open Haydock Park as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to increase testing for thousands more NHS workers. The site is part of a network of testing centres being set up around the UK, and will operate on an appointment basis for self-isolating key NHS workers, or the symptomatic member of their family. These NHS workers will be selected and contacted directly by their NHS Trust.

Plans for a resumption of racing in Britain will be reviewed by the board of the British Horseracing Authority next week. It was announced last month that racing would be suspended until the end of April amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the last meetings to take place in Britain being at Wetherby and Taunton on March 17, both behind closed doors.

Golden Horn’s glorious campaign of 2015 is something that will live long in the memory for Frankie Dettori. The John Gosden-trained, Anthony Oppenheimer-owned son of Cape Cross was virtually unstoppable, and first served notice of his credentials in the Dante at York before powering to glory at Epsom in the Derby.

Willie McCreery feels the lightly-raced Up Helly Aa has the scope to make his presence felt in good company later in the year. The Niarchos family-owned colt, who is bred in the purple, being by Galileo out of Group One-winning mare Fiesolana, did not run as a two-year-old, instead seeing the racecourse for the first time at Cork in May.

James Tate feels he can explore more avenues this season with Hey Gaman. With most of the five-year-old’s best form last year coming on a quicker surface, the Newmarket handler believes soft ground is no longer a necessity for the son of New Approach.

George Margarson is looking to Ropey Guest and Protected Guest to fly the flag for his stable when the Flat campaign eventually gets under way. Although Ropey Guest failed to get his head in front in 10 starts last term, he performed with great credit and was placed at Group Three level four times – culminating with a half-length defeat in the Horris Hill on his final start.