IT IS hoped Chester Racecourse's Boodles May Festival could be a contender for the Government's programme of pilot events to test the return of spectators. In the week before Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled his road map for the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions, Chester Race Company published a plan of its own to be able to welcome back crowds for the meeting from May 5-7. The Boodles May Festival precedes the date pencilled in by the Government for spectators to return – but it is hoped it could yet be a contender for the pilot programme. Racecourse Association chief executive David Armstrong has confirmed representations will be made to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport for at least one race meeting – possibly even the Randox Grand National on April 10 – to test the return of race-goers before the potential resumption of limited crowds on May 17.