French horse racing resumes on Monday at ParisLongchamp

Horse racing resumes in France on Monday having been suspended for nearly eight weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The sport returns behind closed doors with a meeting at ParisLongchamp.

A 10-race fixture, which begins at 09:55 BST, features last year’s French Derby winner Sottsass and the unbeaten Victor Ludorum.

British racing hopes to restart later this month, but will need approval from the government.

Racing has continued without spectators, and with social-distancing protocols, at some tracks in the United States, Australia and Hong Kong.

Other sport in France remains suspended but racing has been given the all-clear after discussions with government officials.

The Godolphin-owned colt Victor Ludorum, the French 2,000 Guineas favourite trained by Andre Fabre, runs in the Prix de Fontainebleau.

Sottsass, in the Prix d’Harcourt, races for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget in his first outing since finishing third behind Waldgeist and Enable in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.