Haydock will once again feel alive as racegoers flock to tracks across England

For the first time on a Saturday this year, paying racegoers will be on track eating, drinking, cheering, repeating – and in doing so bringing the place to life.

Any of those fortunate enough to have been on course while racing has taken place behind closed doors will tell you desolate grandstands have made them soulless places.

Lockdown life has hammered many things home, but when it comes to elite sport one thing is beyond doubt: without fans it is merely people, or animals, running around needlessly grandiose fields.