De Bromhead stars still set for Kempton missions despite travel uncertainty

Kempton has been reassured the two biggest Irish stars at the course's two-day Christmas meeting, Monalee and Put The Kettle On, will still run despite the uncertainty over restrictions on travel between Britain and Ireland.

The UK has been in effect isolated after the majority of countries in the EU have banned air travel and closed their borders to the UK after the emergence of a fast-spreading variant of the Covid-19 virus. Ireland banned flights for 48 hours from Sunday with ferries taking only freight, and restrictions applied on passengers.

With the busy Christmas period for racing in Britain and Ireland starting on Saturday, travel restrictions could lead to logistical headaches for any yards planning to travel or from Ireland to Britain, along with mainland Europe.