A special Betfair Chase day showed drone footage is vital in giving on-course punters the same treatment as those at home

Even after reporting from the racecourse for the best part of 20 years (thanks, I know I don't look old enough), there are still times when you come away from a raceday thinking you have witnessed a proper occasion.
It happened to me just a few days ago as last Saturday's Betfair Chase card was an absolute cracker. As our betting editor Keith Melrose rightly pointed out in the build-up, Haydock's Grade 1 fixture is the best over jumps in the north outside the Grand National meeting in the spring.
It promised so much and delivered even more: Grey Dawning nonchalantly reversing the form with Royale Pagaille in the big race, The Jukebox Man's successful comeback for Harry Redknapp, and father-and-son Chris and Freddie Gordon combining for a terrific treble.
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Published on inAndrew Dietz
Last updated
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- The Classic trials are producing some serious talent - just when Epsom needs it more than ever
- Farewell to Ahoy Senor - a mercurial talent who epitomised the highs and lows of jump racing
- Constitution Hill, Billy Loughnane and Yorkshire Glory - the season that put the 'all' in all-weather
- JP McManus should roll the dice in the Gold Cup - but not necessarily with the horse we're all expecting
- The festival race set to head north again - and the 16-1 shot capable of bringing it home
