There are times when it feels as though the entirety of British horse racing exists in a state of perma-gloom, bewailing an ageing fanbase, declining attendances and a moribund, factional leadership. It is, so the narrative goes, a sport in slow but irreversible decline, waiting for the inevitable moment in 10 or 20 years’ time when someone finally comes along to turn out the lights.
However, every now and again, there are moments such as the Friday Night Live! card at Southwell last week which lift the mood completely, and offer hope that a 250-year-old sport has plenty of running left to give.
