Limerick, Tramore, and Fairyhouse joined Leopardstown in seeing an increase in their crowds, and with all the doom and gloom that often surrounds the narrative of this sport, it was brilliant to see people voting with their feet.

After sharing the hopeful liftoff and bump back to Kempton reality with Paul Townend and Mark Walsh, we all turn our attentions to a mouthwatering few days ahead on this side of the water 

Ten National Hunt racing meetings will be run off in 250 minutes. Fire in some all-weather action at Wolverhampton too.

Kempton will be sold, and the history of the King George will disappear under 2,500 houses.

If you drive at speed and crash, your instinct is to slow down next time. The same applies to horses when they fall: their instinct of self-preservation prompts them to back off and slow down a bit.

The reshaped late-November programme is already bearing fruit, with Punchestown, Navan and Fairyhouse combining to launch the National Hunt season in style.

I have never stood alone and appreciated the venue. I have experienced all its magic, heartbreak, devastation, and elation, but I have never stopped and thought about what it represents.

How on earth will the British Horseracing Authority deal with Powerful Glory and Cicero’s Gift winning Group 1 races on Ascot's card last Saturday at 200/1 and 100/1 respectively?

Racing’s obsession with quick returns and commercial breeding has pushed the sport to breaking point. The slow, steady foundation that once defined it is being eroded by the rush for profit.

What happens on these shores this afternoon will fall into the back pages of the trade papers, as all eyes will be turned to Newmarket for the Dewhurst and Cesarewitch card