Getting crowds back

Sir, I share Anne Marie Duff’s hope that racing crowds will return when things open up again next month, but I would not hold my breath on that one.

For a long time now attendances at Irish meetings have steadily decreased. By comparison, across the water it does not seem to matter what day of the week it is, there seems to good crowds attending the meetings.

Families, in particular, seem to go racing in numbers in Britain, in contrast to Irish meetings. Some people say this is because Britain has a bigger population but that does not wash with me. As far as I’m concerned British people have always been better supporters of racing than us Irish. – Yours etc.,

Declan O’Connell,

Newbridge,

Co Kildare

Viewers can form their own opinions

Sir, Irish Champions Weekend made for most enjoyable viewing on television. However, after the controversial finish to the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown I felt that Ted Walsh overreacted in his comments. He gave his opinion and then repeated it more than once or twice, which was not necessary. Punditry has its uses but it is not essential to racing and viewers can form their own opinions. - Yours etc.,

A.M. Bourke,

Athboy,

Co Meath

Don’t ignore views of racegoers

Sir, More and more the regular racegoers is being ignored and undervalued.

Brian Kavanagh talks of “welcoming back racegoers without [whom] racing has beenmissing one of its essential ingredients.’

Actions speak louder than words. I have been a member of Leopardstown for over 20 years and did not feel very ‘welcome back’ when told that members were expected to pay €25 if they wanted to attend on Champions Weekend.

Also, before Covid, some of us expressed concerns that the Tote on-course screens were not giving us the same information that they used to. They have totally ignored all we said and now show the horse’s number, name, trainer and jockey – information easily got in racecards and papers. There is no room on-screen for the actual Tote prices, which is what they are there for! – Yours etc.,

William Maxwell

Shanakill,

Co Dublin