Provisional plans

It was announced on Friday that racing will resume in Ireland on the 8th June, while it is hoped there will be some action in the UK on the 1st June.

Earlier this week, the BHA drew up a provisional programme for the first 8 days of next month. It involves 18 meetings featuring 149 races. The highlight is a four day meeting at Newmarket (Thursday 4th - Sunday 7th June).

Friday 5th June

Group 1 Coronation Cup

Group 3 Abernant Stakes

Saturday 6th June

2000 Guineas

Group 2 Dahlia Stakes

Group 3 Palace House Stakes

Group 3 Sagaro Stakes

Sunday 7th June 

1000 Guineas

Listed Pretty Polly Stakes

Also on Sunday 7th, Haydock will host the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes, Pinnacle Stakes, Spring Trophy and Listed Cecil Frail Stakes. Fingers crossed, we get the go ahead because it promises to be a fantastic few days of action. We badly need something like this to lift our spirits and something to look forward to. During the last seven or eight weeks, we haven't needed an excuse to open another bottle of beer or wine, but such a line up of races would be well worth toasting.

Then, looking further ahead, the intention is to stage Royal Ascot as planned between the 16th - 20th June. The following month, the plan is for the Epsom Derby and Oaks to be staged on the same day on Saturday 4th July, with the Coral Eclipse twenty four hours later. The ten furlongs contest will only be open to four year olds and older horses.

It is also the ideal time to purchase a copy of Ahead On The Flat and give readers an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the names which are likely to be involved in the aforementioned races.