Perfect country for old men - and a King George winner

David Carr samples the atmosphere as jumping returns to the Yorkshire track

Derek Beaton: he may be 87 but he was not going to let a little breathing difficulty stop him from working at WetherbyCredit: David Carr

You are never too old to enjoy something new. Or to defy your wife's orders to do so. Ask Derek Beaton, whose spirit typifies the enthusiasm felt as jumping gets serious again.

The 2016-17 season has been under way for a good five months and there has already been a meeting at Wetherby which, whisper it quietly, has also staged a couple of Flat cards since.

But this patch of rural West Yorkshire really comes alive in the autumn, when the touch paper of the whole season is lit just before Bonfire Night as battle is joined in the Charlie Hall Chase, with fireworks provided by the likes of Wayward Lad, Burrough Hill Lad, See More Business and Cue Card.

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Published on 12 October 2016inNews

Last updated 17:57, 12 October 2016

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