THE Daily Mirror’s decision to run the photo of poor Wigmore Hall was an atrocious one and racing has unsurprisingly been unified in its condemnation of the editorial policy of the newspaper.

I feel desperately sorry for all those connected to the horse, but also for all those who’ve worked so hard to promote the sport over the last few years.

The sport, especially the team at Great British Racing, has worked tirelessly in promoting racing, which has resulted in more coverage and a greater and wider interest.

And then in an instant, racing’s image is reduced to rubble.

Everyone in the industry knows that racehorses are treated like royalty and their welfare is at the heart of everything we do, but it’s difficult to convey that message to the wider public when they see a photo like that.

That was further in evidence when the Daily Mail website followed up the story which produced nearly 1000 comments - with most of them pretty negative.

Hopefully, this will galvanise the sport and we’ll all do our bit to promote the sport as best we can.

It’s been a slow few weeks for me and I’m pretty keen to end an annoying losing streak.

I’ve three chances at Haydock today, including in the feature £45,000 Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap.

I’m on Racy, who I rode a couple of times last season, including when fourth in the Stewards’ Cup. He has mixed it well on the big stage, as he was also eighth in the British Champions Sprint and ran well at Meydan earlier in the year.

He has plenty of speed and the class to win this - but he might be just a little too high in the handicap.

I am back on Tears Of The Sun, who I rode to win at Brighton in May, in the 10-furlong fillies’ handicap. I rode her after that win at Chester, when we got trapped on the rail and she looked unlucky. This race is a similar level to Chester, and I expect her to be there at the finish.

Velox looks the value option in the Betfred Cambridgeshire at Newmarket. He returned to form when third at Doncaster last time, and if he can build on that, and take advantage of the 5lb which Cam Hardie takes off, then he should go very close.

One to put in the notebook is Strong Chemistry, who won by six lengths at Kempton on Monday despite William Buick not doing an awful lot. It was a very, very easy win and is clearly one to keep an eye on.