Racing badly needs the full relaxation of restrictions

Humans are herd animals too. Jockeys, trainers, owners and those enjoying the few prized media attendance slots for racing behind closed doors have agreed that without the crowds it simply hasn’t been the same experience. TV coverage of racing is first class going on brilliant and has provided vital information and entertainment through lockdown, but we in the racing tribe need to be regularly on the course, rubbing shoulders with the like-minded: ‘Did you see what that one did last time at Newbury? Why isn’t X riding his regular stable’s two-year-old here?’

After my Goodwood member friend Derek Sinclair invited me to be his guest on the first Saturday on which racing welcomed back partial crowds, I counted down the days like a stocking-hungry child approaching Christmas. Racing at Goodwood on a fine day is the closest thing you get this side of the Pearly Gates to a peek at heaven and the reminders were there.