I go racing to see horses - my Sandown trip left me feeling short-changed

I had the pleasure of attending Sandown on Thursday for a fascinating card that often serves up pointers for next year's Classics. With a day off and time to spare, I was excited to try to pick out the next Kameko or Inspiral, who both won at the meeting as two-year-olds.

As an earnest paddock picker, I'm particularly fascinated by the juveniles and, like many other racegoers, drifted over to the pre-parade ring to seek an early glimpse of the horses who could vie for Guineas glory next year.

I waited in vain. Not a single horse appeared in the enclosure ahead of Nostrum's impressive debut success, and we were again left wanting for the Listed Star Stakes, in which the ten fillies clinically filtered straight into the main paddock just before the bell.