A WEEK out from a memorable, in many ways, Cheltenham Festival of racing, the largely blue sky of happiness and good news stories is being clouded by a number of issues, all of which can be loosely classified as welfare concerns.

What a pity that this is happening in the full glare of not just our own industry and sport, but is even being played out in the wider media and being addressed by members of parliament. When issues attract the attention of those who normally pass no notice on what goes on within our sector, then it is time for some serious soul searching about keeping our own house in order, and even in camera.