IT is a lot, 28 races. Seven for every one of the four days, one for every day in February, if the Festival were run in February, and as long as it isn’t a leap year.

It is not that long ago that we only had three days and 18 races. Back then there was no JLT Chase, no Close Brothers Chase, to Mares’ Hurdle, no Ryanair Chase, and definitely no Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. Anyone remember the Cathcart?