Hamlet without the prince - but Tingle Creek day still a marvellous production

Sandown in the winter is a place best shared.

Few things stir our sporting souls more than watching two-mile chasers lay everything on the line around this most wonderful racecourse. For that reason it was a joy to see the steppings of the grandstand's amber zone packed with people and alive with atmosphere. Thanks to Politologue, Allmankind and Harry Skelton, racing's returning audience was not short-changed.

Where the horses went, the fans followed, creating the false but welcome impression that the attendance was far more than the official 1,827. The day's paying customers had hoped to see Altior; indeed some of them may have bought tickets precisely for that reason. What they got was Hamlet without the prince. It was, pleased to report, still a marvellous production, blessed by a bravura performance.