FORMER champion trainer Paul Cole and his son, Oliver, could saddle their first runners on a joint-licence with racing set to resume in Britain next week following an 11-week shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Coles have five horses from their Whatcombe stables, near Wantage, entered on Tuesday’s nine-race card at Kempton.

It has attracted a massive 454 entries – with the action scheduled to start up again the previous day at Newcastle.

The duo have Atlantic Crossing and Jazz Party engaged in the opening mile-and-a-quarter maiden stakes and in a similar contest over two furlongs later on the card, while Rotherwick, Mercenary Rose and Celtic Classic are entered in handicaps.

Cole snr, who famously saddled Generous to win the 1991 Derby in the season he was champion trainer, and his son are among the first to take advantage of a joint-licence after the British Horseracing Authority began work on introducing dual licences last year.

The veteran handler feels it’s the right time to share responsibilities with Oliver, who has been his assistant trainer.

Wantage trainer Henry Candy also has a quintet of horses entered at the Sunbury track with By Starlight dually engaged, while Maiden Castle, Sceptred Isle, Light Bay and Marietty hold sole entries.

Heather Main, who is based at nearby Kingston Lisle, is another local handler to have five of her string in contention for an outing.

Tindrum, Dawry, Thomas Percy, Cloud Thunder and Para Queen are her potential runners.

Eve Johnson Houghton’s Blewbury yard, near Didcot, has a brace of entries in Kashmirella and Go Bob Go.