Lacey works hard for Ayr winner

Tom Lacey has made an excellent start to this season and Dorking Boy produced a 16th winner of the term in a novices handicap chase at Ayr yesterday. However, along the way, the lead changed several times over the last 3 fences - not a good feeling for those with weak hearts.

The seven year old is a winner of three handicap hurdles over distances of 2 - 2 1/2m, and was running on again at the end of this 2m 4 1/2f chase, which sadly attracted just 4 runners. Turning in however, any one of three could have won. Between the second last and last, strong driving from Stan Sheppard got Dorking Boy's head in front, only for him to put in a short one at the last and lose two lengths. He had to lengthen and stretch to pull the lost ground back in the last 150yards.

Whcih all goes to show that whilst the big meetings have a sense of occasion, the social buzz that comes with a large crowd, and more often than not the best horses, you can still enjoy nail-biting finishes at midweek fixtures, where occasionally, you could be forgiven for thinking the show had been put on as a private exhibition for you and a few others.

But we should count ourselves fortunate. Across the water both west and south, mid week attendances are dire. The availability of Irish fixtures on pay per view and betting channels has kept a lot of spectators at home, whilst you could throw a net over the whole crowd at mid week fixtures at Auteuil, where entry is free. In these circumstances, it's all but impossible to disagree with the statement that racing is merely a vehicle for betting. across much of the continent, racing is either sporadic, or when it takes place, is free to attend.

This then is a perfect reason to celebrate the gravity-defying circus act that is staging a Point-to-Point fixture. Especially among early season and mid-winter fixtures, it needs a special motivation to get out into the cold to attend and support sons, daughters or family riding and training the next generation of horses. It develops a camaraderie that has recently been identified to be lacking among certain members of the Weighing room in our professional sport.

Pulling together the resources to run a fixture is a multi-talented skill, ranging from fund-raising to persuading volunteers to step forward in the cold and wet to manage any size of crowd. The recent Covid crisis has increased people's willingness to volunteer, but how long that sense of community will last is anyone's guess. if though you enjoy the great outdoors, and want to participate in a life-affirming event, there are few better ways to enjoy an afternoon than at your local Point-to-Point, whether as a spectator or volunteer.

Come and join in; you'll be most welcome.