Immense frustration reflects fact that racing needs spectators back so badly

It is because the numbers are not looking good that the plug was pulled on spectators attending the rest of the St Leger festival. It is because racing's numbers are looking increasingly dire that the return of spectators is so badly needed.

From the moment the government's new rule of six policy was revealed it was obvious the long-awaited comeback of paying customers to racecourses could be jeopardised. A four-day Doncaster trial turned into a one-off event, albeit because of a local rise in coronavirus cases. Now it appears the planned trials at Warwick and Newmarket could proceed but with the number of people allowed to purchase tickets significantly reduced.

That the trials have not been cancelled is some consolation, although whether they will prove much in their diminished form is debatable. Also welcome is the moonshot swab test project that could theoretically enable those attending sporting and cultural events to receive results in 20 minutes – if, that is, the ambition becomes a reality.