Ruby Walsh: Do 48-hour declarations benefit racing? Being honest, I don’t believe so

The HRI board will debate it on Monday, and whatever they decide, it won’t have the massive implications on the sport that some would lead you to believe it will, says Ruby Walsh

Nobody saw the lockdowns coming in March 2020, but we all know the end is on the horizon in October 2021. October 22 is the date Covid is due to expire - not really, of course, but it is the day when normality is expected to resume.

The question is, what will that normality be? For racing, it will mean the racecourses can reopen to total capacity with the odd caveat. Still, only time will tell if racegoers return en masse or if the thought of a crowded enclosure is enough to deter some.