We might have been short of superstars last winter, but, ultimately, we have to be well pleased with our achievements in the 2020-21 jumps season, with 54 winners earning the owners £792,351.

However, the days when everybody could ease off the throttle in the summer months have long gone, and now our focus is very much on the Flat team, which is close to 50 after several new recruits have arrived from the Breeze-Up Sales.

Inevitably, 2020 will be remembered for the awful pandemic that claimed the lives of so many, but somehow racing emerged from the black tunnel in one piece, and with three winners at Royal Ascot, plus another on Champions Day, it was our best Flat season yet.

Sadly, the owners and racegoers missed most of the live action, but, hopefully, with the success of the Covid vaccine giving everyone a lift, fans of our sport could soon be clicking their way through the turnstiles.

Fingers crossed we’ll have reason to celebrate some more, too, with Trueshan, whose owners were contemplating going hurdling last autumn, gatecrashing Flat racing’s penthouse with a superb victory in the Champions Long Distance Cup and now looking every inch a Cup horse for this year.

We’ve also got some lovely three-year-olds who have been brought along steadily, plus some potentially exciting youngsters, so, for all of us at Barbury, the dream is still very much alive, and I hope you’ll join us for the ride.

ALAN