International runners given green light to compete in Guineas and Coronation Cup

Foreign-trained runners will be allowed to run in the first two Classics of the disrupted British Flat season, the BHA has confirmed.

The news could be music to the ears of Aidan O'Brien, Ireland's champion trainer who has won four of the last five runnings of the Qipco 2,000 Guineas, and three of the last four of the 1,000 Guineas.

However, no overseas runners will be allowed to run in Listed, Group 2 and Group 3 races until June 15 and no internationally-trained horses will be permitted to take part in any races of Class 2 level and below until further notice due to concerns about elimination levels.

The plan is for racing in Britain to resume on June 1, with the first Group 1 of the season, the Coronation Cup, due to take place at Newmarket on June 5.

Foreign-trained runners will be permitted in that contest as well as the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas over the following two days.

The BHA said the decision had been made following discussions with the Flat Pattern Committee as well as colleagues in France and Ireland.

A BHA statement said: "These discussions have been held against the backdrop of an overriding desire to see racing resume in Britain as soon as possible, with all the necessary protocols in place, such that we can ensure that racing can continue and ultimately revert to its pre-agreed programme.

"Should racing resume on this date [June 1], it is agreed that protecting ourselves against unnecessary risk in the opening few weeks is a responsible and proportionate approach.

"As a result, foreign-trained runners will only be permitted to run in the three Group 1 races taking place in Britain during the first fortnight...in order to help facilitate a safe and smooth resumption."

The BHA has also taken action to ensure the juvenile races at Royal Ascot feature the best horses.

For the first eight days of racing after resumption, trainers will be asked to identify specific horses that they would like to see given priority against elimination from any division of the currently programmed two-year-old races.

Trainers that qualify for the priority system will be contacted over the weekend to be informed of the number of nominations open to them.

The BHA added: "This is clearly an unprecedented step, but is intended to help ensure the fields at Royal Ascot are made up of the best horses where possible."

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