TO the backdrop of a soundtrack of 1980s hits which ranged from bands such as Wham to Matthew Wilder’s Break My Stride, Irish racing returned at Naas on Monday. After a 76-day absence racing’s return took place in seamless fashion although this wasn’t quite a day at the races that we are all used to. Action on the track took place as it has always done and, given events since racing’s resumption, it was appropriate that the first race back should fall to Aidan O’Brien’s More Beautiful.

Away from the track though this was racing with an altogether different feel as the behind closed doors policy and the accompanying protocols meant that the action on the racecourse played out in front of largely empty enclosures that contained only essential personnel.