TWO weeks since the last column here, and a very busy racing period began with racing under the cosh again from a BBC Panorama programme highlighting conditions at a British abattoir where it was alleged the majority of horses sent for slaughter came from Ireland, including many identified as former racehorses.

Even if the disposal of the former racehorses in the manner shown had been part of a fictitious production, it would be horrific. But we’d be naive too, to think there were people not as shocked as the outcry would lead you to believe, even if allowing an organisation like Animal Aid get access to set up a hidden camera showed negligence.