EOGHAIN Ward’s interesting and well-reasoned feature on the future of confined races argued some problematic issues (The Irish Field February 27th). I, for one, would be sorry to see the demise of confined races and it should be noted that some hunts have a race with far greater local history and kudos than those who run a race confined to a rather larger area of adjacent hunts. While, in theory, it should be easier to draw a good entry from a larger area it is more likely that the one hunt only variety can hold its place on the racecard better.

However, the really contentious issue is the proliferation of four-year-old maidens. Obviously if owners are willing to enter their horses and pay the costs whether they run or not it is an attractive alternative to promoting hunts. This year is a good example where 71 entries were made at three meetings on the first Sunday in February resulting in 23 runners. The following week 25 entries at two meetings saw just seven runners, then seven days later three meetings drew just 11 runners from 32 entries (plus eight out of nine running in the first mares only such race).