'Trade was okay but we're glad to be back' - bookmakers return on course

Third-generation layer John Hooper was among a small handful of bookmakers on course for the first time since March when he attended Fontwell's fixture on Tuesday.

Although he said operating without any racegoers would not be financially feasible in the long term, he was just thrilled to be back on track.

On-course layers have been absent since Britain went into lockdown because of the coronavirus in the spring, and when the sport returned on June 1, only those considered essential personnel were permitted to attend.