All racing in Britain was suspended on Wednesday until the end of April due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the British Horseracing Authority announced.

The news follows Monday's statement that British racing would initially be run behind closed doors until the end of March.

The Jockey Club Racecourses announced that the Randox Health Grand National meeting at Aintree set to be held on April 4 had been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tuesday's meetings at Wetherby and Taunton went ahead behind closed doors.

The BHA said in a statement the decision will be kept under "constant review".

The statement added: "The formal decision was taken by Board of the British Horseracing Authority this morning based on the statements made by the government yesterday and after consultation with senior industry leaders.

"Medical advisers to the RCA (Racecourses Association) and the BHA, who have been advising an industry group on the response to the crisis, have also been consulted.

"The BHA took the decision to protect essential emergency services and the health and welfare of staff working in the racing industry.

"Racecourses and racing have obligations to ensure the safety of participants and provide medical cover which clearly cannot be fulfilled in these circumstances. This follows the new advice issued by government yesterday to combat the spread of the virus."