Cheltenham chief on how he copes with a massive responsibility

Being the chairman of quite possibly the best racecourse in the world comes with a heavy burden of responsibility, but it has its compensations, as Martin St Quinton has found out. It's not one long jolly, and combining it with his ownership of Gloucester Rugby Club makes for a busy working week, but sometimes the two come together in perfect synchronicity.

The Rugby World Cup was just such an occasion. Gloucester scrum half Willie Heinz – like many of the club's players no stranger to the races – had played an integral part in England's efforts and St Quinton had the bit between his teeth, so when the big dust-up with New Zealand was broadcast live from the track on the morning of the first racing Saturday of the season, the stage was set for the melding of two lifelong passions.

"I watched the semi-final in the Centaur on Saturday morning before racing and there were hundreds of people, the bars were open at eight o'clock and there were bacon sandwiches on the go and a great atmosphere. It was nice to be in a crowd for such a big occasion and such a fantastic match."