Racing Post Go North Weekend a crucial step in bringing back the glory days

You don't have to be addicted to nostalgia to feel the true story this weekend is all about Red Rum, Sea Pigeon and Jodami. Plenty will be hoping they signpost a better future, as much as a look back to a fondly remembered past.

True, some will get excited about the huge jackpots available on World Cup night in Dubai on Saturday, and I will be at Doncaster, where the SBK Lincoln provides a cracking start to the turf Flat season in Britain, with William Haggas bidding for a record fifth victory and Charlie Appleby having a proper go at a race he still sees as well worth winning.

But my spirit, at least, will be elsewhere for the Racing Post Go North series – three days of top-class jumping aimed at boosting the sport in a part of Britain where things have not been easy of late.