How catastrophic news turned a day of celebration into a day of despair

A day which promised to be a celebration for racing turned into despair before the first crowds on a British racecourse in six months had a chance to conservatively cheer home a winner.

After a morning of anticipation, and no shortage of excitement, from those queuing outside at 9am, the atmosphere changed dramatically, with the catastrophic news that the plug would be pulled on the rest of the sporting crowds pilot at the St Leger meeting.

Heightened levels of anxiety were evident in those making their way to the entrances as people came to terms with the change in law, making social gatherings of more than six people illegal in England from Monday.