It’s frightening to think the illegal presence of some animal in a market in the province of Hubei, in a city most of us had never previously heard of and few will ever visit could have such a profound and deadly impact on the world.

Corky Browne left Carrigtwohill for a life in racing, working with legendary trainer Fred Winter, in England, before forging a glorious partnership with five-time champion trainer Nicky Henderson. Browne announced his retirement, at 77, last week, ending a 62-year association with the sport.

Simonsig drained the pressure from a tense Nicky Henderson with a flawless novice chasing initiation at Ascot yesterday.

While Kempton yesterday was only about Kauto Star, 24 hours later Nicky Henderson reclaimed his dominant role with a high-profile double and three winners overall.

FOR any trainer, the winner’s enclosure at Cheltenham on big race days is the place they want to be and Tom Taaffe is no exception to that rule.