'Costs have gone crazy - I'd be worried for a small trainer like myself'

Irish racing's resilience has been tested in unprecedented ways across the past two and a half years.

Any hope that the road away from Covid might be a time of renewed optimism have been pretty short-lived as the sport faces up to the significant economic challenges caused by Brexit and the tragic Ukrainian crisis.

Throw in serious concerns over the rising cost of living and there is a series of clear and present obstacles facing an industry that, in many ways, is still in recovery from the pandemic.