Cheltenham Festival bosses insist Gold Cup WILL go ahead despite coronavirus fears

CHELTENHAM Festival bosses insist today’s Gold Cup will go ahead despite coronavirus fears.

Rumours were spreading throughout the racecourse that the final day of the event could be cancelled.

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But race chiefs stood firm despite a Cheltenham Tesco worker testing positive for the virus.

Bookies predict a historic Gold Cup and say punters will likely splurge £30million in a betting bonanza.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “The Gold Cup is the pinnacle of the Festival, with a staggering amount of money set to be gambled across the nation.

“With a £30million betting bonanza on the cards, we could be in for a record year.”

Around 60,000 racegoers flocked to the Gloucestershire course yesterday.

The Festival draws many Irish visitors and several race fans wore green frocks and shamrocks for St Patrick’s Thursday.

The Queen’s grand-daughter Zara Tindall cheered in the stands while actress Emilia Fox was there with banker fiance Luc Chaudhary.

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A spokesman for Cheltenham Racecourse said: “We have been in close communication with the Government throughout this situation.

“Based on their clear message, it remains business as usual.”

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