REVEALED: Bookmakers will hold talks with the BHA and Jockey Club in bid to delay racing’s biggest betting event the Grand National by a few days for when shops can re-open, which could deliver a massive boost to sport’s fragile finances
- Betting shops are allowed to re-open two days after the Grand National
- Bookmakers are set to hold talks to delay racing’s biggest betting race
- Racing’s finances could get a boost from the Levy the betting industry pays
The bookmaking industry is expected to open talks with the British Horseracing Authority and the Jockey Club to see if the Randox Grand National can be pushed back a few days until betting shops are open again.
The road map announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson included the hope that non-essential retail would resume on April 12, two days after the biggest betting race of the year at Aintree.
With crowds not possible until mid-May, the betting industry could press the case for a delay to the Grand National.
Bookmakers want the Grand National to be delayed by a few days for when shops can re-open
Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed betting shops can re-open two days after the event
That could deliver a massive boost for racing’s fragile finances via the levy the betting industry pays the sport.
One option could be flipping the dates of the Grand National with the Scottish National, which is due to be run seven days later at Ayr on April 17.
Simon Clare, PR director for Ladbrokes Coral, said: ‘If there was a way the Grand National could be put back a few days, it would deliver a massive boost for the sport.’
Betting industry could give racing’s finances a boost if the Grand National was pushed back