WE can hardly be surprised that all has gone well for the return of Irish racing, and what a joy to see the Curragh on RTÉ screens last evening. This and coming weekends are an opportunity to win the hearts and minds of non-racing people.

I say we can hardly be surprised as racing had operated successfully behind closed doors before its shutdown, and the strengthened protocols mean that it is as watertight as it can be now. I will have my first opportunity to visit a racecourse in these circumstances this weekend, and will see at first-hand how they work.