More Than 450 Entries Made for Kempton Opening Day

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Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Dubai Warrior wins the 2019 Novice Stakes at Kempton

There has been huge support for the second day of the resumption schedule with more than 450 entries made for Kempton May 26.

The June 2 nine-race card on the all-weather has attracted 454 entries, surpassing the 369 made for the June 1 opening day at Newcastle, and includes the first juvenile contest since racing was suspended.

Of those entries, 328 were made for the five maiden races at the meeting, including 97 for a 3-year-old contest over a mile, and the rest were spread across four handicaps over varying distances.

John Gosden was the leading trainer on the all-weather at Kempton last year with 19 winners from 77 runners and has made 13 entries.

A further 265 entries were made for a second eight-race card at Newcastle, which could be extended to 10 races with divisions. 

The two behind-closed-doors meetings will be the second and third to take place in Britain since March 17, after which the sport was closed down due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

The British Horseracing Authority has said all races following the resumption will require final fields to be declared three days before meetings take place "until further notice." The BHA released 33 pages of protocol May 23 that must be followed by all in attendance for each meet. Social distancing officers will be appointed by the organization to ensure all protocols are strictly adhered to on race days.