Lockdown

Well, I wasn't.... But now I might be...

A lot of political noises today about going the zero covid route. Soc Dems have joined the chorus now too. Be prepared lads, if we go the zero covid route racing in Ireland will cease with immediate effect. No DRF, no fairy House, and no travel so no Irish at Cheltenham
That Tomás Ryan will kill off Irish racing

Looks unlikely that they'll be crowds for March according to the RP

https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/fears-more-betting-shops-could-shut-in-england-as-covid-19-infection-rates-soar/466578

As Boris has been wrong on every other announcement since last March, I can't see how they'll have those 4 groups all sorted by the end of February as they'll need to do that before any hope of an easing of any restrictions.

The amount of football outbreaks is a disaster. If they go, we are gone.

Rochey18 wrote: »

How do you come to that logic?

Sure there is no football in ireland at the minute, or is your thought process just towards Cheltenham?

Yes I am talking UK racing, and I make no apologies as one is dependant on the other
If football is closed in the UK, racing will certainly go with it, and if they close elite sport in UK, you can be damn sure we will follow suit, first chance they get,
And to answer your question re Cheltenham, yes, my thought process absolutely DOES all point eventually towards Cheltenham, and if you think I am going to be embarrassed by you pointing that out, you don't know me.

I have someone belonging to me quite unwell at the moment and thinking about racing and cheltenham is a total anesthetic towards the real world out there. Cheltenham is my escape. Thinking about it, planning my bets, picturing scenarios up the hill.
Cheltenham is my escape

RivetingRoger wrote: »

The amount of football outbreaks is a disaster. If they go, we are gone.

I wouldn't be massively concerned that the outbreaks in football would lead to a cancellation of horse racing. They're sports with completely different structures, however one thing racing has to avoid is an outbreak amongst the weighing room or stable staff that can be traced back to a meeting. If that happens it's a different story so the BHA and horse racing Ireland need to have zero tolerance for rule breaking and to ensure that safety measures are strictly enforced.

It might be a blessing in disguise if they have to shorten things and make it a three day event... We can hope!

Imagine it all goes to ****e and we end up with a virtual festival.

Travel ban on cross border elite sports now Heineken cup off and six nations in doubt,, not looking good for Irish horses

Pogue eile wrote: »

Social Media is full of rumors tonight that elite sport will be pulled tomorrow in the UK

Just heard the same.
Racing to be cancelled from Wednesday
If its cancelled there, we will follow suit

I am gutted but... Ya know what..... Maybe it just is what it is

Yera they might just postpone it and put it back to around the time of Aintree! Try and hold onto something positive lads, the head would be melted otherwise.

Lot of talk in the last few days about Ireland going for zero covid.
It was always more a gang of loud voices than anything else, but it seems to be picking up major traction now.
On the face of it, there seems to be a lot of sense but..........and I make no apologies for wondering this, if we did take a zero covid approach, would that mean an immediate cessation of all sports, incl racing in Ireland and would that immediately preclude any travel, human or equine to UK for months, thus meaning no domestic racing, no irish at cheltenham etc?

Zero covid is impossible. Keep dreaming

RivetingRoger wrote:

Clamour for zero covid growing by the day

Will you just stop ffs