Shergar Cup day always something to celebrate

The Shergar Cup is a lesson to us all. We're a tough crowd in racing, always ready to boo off the latest thing 16 seconds into its routine, always slightly suspicious of innovation. If we were offered bread and circuses there'd be someone grumbling about how they wanted sourdough instead of pumpernickel, or a slightly less officious ringmaster.

At first, no-one really took to the Shergar Cup. It was deemed pointless, an affront to the principles of the sport, a waste of a fixture. It was a novelty, afforded only novelty value, dismissed. Yet here it is, bloodied but unbowed, returning to Ascot for its 16th iteration on a wave of enthusiasm, anticipation, acceptance. That's the Brits for you, that's racing. Hang in there long enough and you'll become a national treasure.

Ostensibly, what's not to like? There are few stars among the four-legged, but the day isn't really about them. Any racegoers wishing to be captivated by a big name should have been at Goodwood last week, or should be at York the week after next. The big names are all in the saddle, teaming up for glory.