THE all-weather tracks are well-established as being a valuable part of the racing industry, here and in Britain, and it was the availability of Chelmsford that enabled two classic trials and a early season event for older middle-distance horses to go ahead last Saturday.

Temporarily transferred from their usual home at Newbury, the three-year-old events were over their regular distance, but the Group 3 Follow Betfred On Twitter John Porter Stakes was run over an extended 13 furlongs, rather than the mile and a half, and it will be interesting to see how the winner gets on when tackling stronger opposition back on turf.