Addition of mares' chase is another step in the wrong direction for Cheltenham

If the worthies of the Cheltenham executive are experiencing some unease about the reaction to the plan to add a mares' chase to the festival schedule at least they can take solace from the knowledge that plenty of people still care, even if the typical response has varied from the lukewarm to the hostile.

In the main, outright support has come only from industry professionals with something of a vested interest, including a zealous constituency on the breeding wing who find it hard to see the sport in the round and are apt to place the interests of punters, racegoers and general enthusiasts at the bottom of the priority list.

Of course it should be taken as read that it is vital to provide a suitable programme of races for mares, and it would be remiss not to acknowledge that the authorities in both Britain and Ireland have done sterling work in enhancing opportunities in recent years.