Lamentable contempt for fans shown by decision to hold John Durkan in fog

Officials at Punchestown on Sunday found themselves in an invidious position with the fog thickening at the worst possible moment, but the decision to proceed with the John Durkan Memorial Chase was wrong. There isn't much point trying to dress it up any other way.

Clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan, who was consulting with participants and officials throughout, is widely recognised as one of the best clerks in the business and acted in good faith.

He wouldn’t have allowed the race to go ahead if he had concerns over the safety of horses or jockeys, and it duly went off without incident.