Horse racing gets sport back under way in UK under strict coronavirus rules… and huge 22/1 outsider bags the first

SPORT finally returned in the UK at Newcastle racecourse today – with a 22/1 winner bagging the first!

The entire sporting schedule around the world has been decimated due to coronavirus.

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But a slice of normal life came back to TV screens when horses and jockeys took to the sun-kissed Newcastle track 76 days after racing was suspended.

Templegate’s tips for Monday at Newcastle

And good on you if you picked the winner, with big outsider Zodiakos powering home to hold off 4-1 second-favourite Al Ozzdi in the 1 mile flat race.

With no fans present though, and strict social distancing measures being carefully enforced, there was no usual cheering as the winner romped home.

And the flat scene was the same when 9-1 Little Jo turned over odds-on favourite Mutasaamy in the second.

For now, punters will have to stick to tearing up their virtual betting slips at home until fans are allowed back in grounds.

Jockeys wearing facemasks as they ride horses has been commonplace in France since racing returned across the Channel.

But today’s all-weather 1pm race in Newcastle was the first time in this country the sight of jockeys tearing down the track with a black piece of fabric covering their faces had been seen.

And this is the new normal we will live with from now on.

The sight will be the same at Royal Ascot in just over two weeks, when bookies will expect a barrage of bets to be placed even though it will take place behind closed doors.

Similar distancing guidelines in place at Newcastle are expected to be in place there too.

Jockeys had to navigate a one-way system in the changing rooms, similar to that used in shops.

Each rider was granted a two metre cubicle in which to get changed.

Many of the workers allowed access to the course were shown on Sky Sports Racing to be wearing facemasks after passing “stringent health checks”.

And before the first, all jockeys were lectured on guidelines going forward – while standing at least two metres apart, of course.

Interviews will be different from the time being too – as well as the celebrations in the winners’ enclosure.

No presenters are seen chatting to riders on camera now.

Instead, the microphone is placed in front of the jockey and they answer questions from a voice behind the camera.

It’s sport. It’s back. But not as we know it.