Course bookmakers anticipate 'massive' Glorious Goodwood after restrictions news

Of the many industries reliant on racing, course bookmakers have been one of the worst impacted by the prolonging of restrictions due to Covid-19 but Star Sports boss Ben Keith is hopeful that Glorious Goodwood can make up for the missed opportunities of Cheltenham and Royal Ascot.

The industry has suffered with racing behind closed doors for the best part of a year and then limited to a maximum of 4,000 on track since May, except for Royal Ascot which had an increased capacity of 12,000 as a government test event, but out of that frustration Keith can see opportunity.

"I think Glorious Goodwood could be massive, I think people will try and make that their Ascot and Cheltenham," he said about the meeting that starts on July 27, when a full complement of on-course bookmakers should be in place if restrictions are lifted as planned on July 19.

"I'd be delighted to see my fellow on-course bookmakers doing a day's work again," added Keith.

"We must push back all of this no-cash nonsense but I hope the on-course bookmakers will take the opportunity to have some boom days before the end of the summer and I think the ring could really hot-up during Glorious Goodwood."

Tony Styles, who trades as Bob Stock, said. "The current situation limits turnover. It has helped that there are fewer bookmakers on course, but for the poor bookmakers that can't get on course it's no good at all. It's been a difficult 15 months for the industry so we can't wait to get back to normal. The sooner we get back to normal the better."

On the planned lifting of restrictions, fellow layer John Hooper said: "It's huge for us. It's been dreadful for the industry, as it has lots of industries, absolutely awful."

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