There’s something a little unsettling about people indulging themselves in food and drink and having a rare old time whilst being entertained by animals racing themselves to death.

A dramatic statement, I know, but that is exactly what happened at the Cheltenham Festival this week and in all likelihood will be repeated at the Grand National meeting at Aintree next month.

Animal welfare groups protest that all steeplechasing should be banned but I think that that would be a step too far and I could never envisage horse racing being banned either in whole or in part.

What is needed are continuing efforts to make the sport as safe as possible. Not that the average race goer could give a damn, however. As long as he’s got a full glass in his hand he’ll be happy enough.