ANY racing fans dreaming of a white Christmas got more than they bargained for, and earlier too, when staring at a fog-white screen for the finale at Haydock last Saturday. Quite what the point is of running a race which the public cannot see, and in which it is impossible to return margins or times, is anyone’s guess. But it has to be said that Irish racing has shown itself ahead of its British counterpart by sending a camera round in a patrol car when faced with similar challenges.

Much of the rest of the action at both Haydock and Ascot was also shrouded in fog, but it was possible to piece together times from pictures and from other means.