Nice way to sign off

Delvino (4/5) provided the Cheltenham Festival Update with another winner. The Dermot McLoughlin trained mare had run well against geldings on her debut at Navan last month and confirmed the view with a comfortable victory in the mares' bumper at Down Royal on Tuesday. Highlighted in the Update, it was a nice way to sign off following the announcement that there will be no racing in the UK until the beginning of May at the earliest. Ireland will decide on Wednesday whether they will continue. 

As regards Ahead On The Flat, I am continuing to write the forthcoming edition in the hope racing will resume at some stage during May but will obviously monitor the situation and keep readers/clients informed on here. The fact there is no Flat racing during April will impact on the Classics, especially the Guineas and it remains to be seen whether they will take place or be rescheduled later in the year. The 1000 and 2000 Guineas are due to take place on the 2nd/3rd May. I have conducted 8 stable interviews - Andrew Balding, Ralph Beckett, Roger Charlton, Charlie Fellowes, Tim Easterby, William Haggas, James Tate and Roger Varian - and due to carry out a couple more but I am holding fire until we get a better idea of when racing will resume. As in previous years, I have spoken to my contact in the Sir Michael Stoute yard and he has given me a full detailed rundown on the string at Freemason Lodge. There are some particularly exciting three year olds in there.