Santini's day out no substitute for a proper race - but nor was it meant to be

That Newbury's now annual gallops morning on Tuesday was to a degree treated as a raceday might cause the frowns to increase on those despairing at Santini's absence from Saturday's Betfair Chase at Haydock.

A precursor to the Ladbrokes Trophy meeting next week, Newbury's event has become a date in the diary – one previously open to annual members and owners.

In the coronavirus era that was, of course, not possible, but 20 horses from seven stables were in attendance, while Richard Hoiles rocked up to commentate on them for Racing TV, which was also represented on track by Rishi Persad.