Monday’s Derby Lunch, open to the owners and trainers of the six finalists, has been cancelled.
Kim Sanzone of sponsors Star Sports said: “It is desperately disappointing because we realise how much everybody was looking forward to it, as part of the Derby tradition. But after discussions with Nathan Corden we realised that there is a strong possibility of further Covid restrictions on the Nottingham area from this weekend if not sooner.
“Given the plans that have to be made, particularly those from the Irish connections, we took the reluctant decision to cancel. Although it won’t in any way compensate for the occasion, we are planning to make it up to connections in other ways.”
