RACING is made up of highs and lows, successes and disappointments, and those involved know too well how rare it is to have success. Its rarity makes it all the more enjoyable.

At Aintree on Friday, a few moments of joy turned to sorrow and heartbreak after Gold Dancer gained the biggest win of his still fledgling career when landing the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase by four and three-parts of a length, which was the exact same distance by which he was beaten when runner-up at Cheltenham in March. Sadly, and distressingly, Paul Townend quickly dismounted after they passed the winning post when it became clear something was amiss.