'Racing is being diluted'

Kim Bailey on the current state of the sport and a tribute to a special horse

WE have just witnessed some of the best jump racing seen here since last year’s Cheltenham Festival (report, p62). Doncaster and Cheltenham had great cards and Trials Day at the latter certainly lived up to its billing.

Now all eyes will be on those four days in March and we hope that Ireland does not take too many of our prizes. Willie Mullins sent over four horses at the weekend; three won and the fourth was third behind one of his winners!

It would be a mouthwatering proposition if only Lossiemouth would take on Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle, but sadly she will probably run in the mares’ hurdle at long odds on.

Racing has suffered from too much adverse publicity over the last few months and, call me old-fashioned, but I have always hoped that our trade paper the Racing Post would promote and support our sport considerably more than it does. More positivity would be great.