GENUINE, regular race-goers have been the bread and butter for race courses ever since I can remember. I first visited York racecourse when I was a 16-year-old apprentice jockey, 64 years ago.

I attended the Dante meeting this year and had the feeling of being an intruder and outcast.

I can honestly say I didn’t see one regular race-goer whom I have known and looked forward to meeting over all those years.

A killjoy and spoilsport I am certainly not, but it appears to me the only people that Mr James Brennan wishes to see are those that enjoy a knees-up Mother Brown and can sup the most champagne, many of whom never see a race. Recession, what recession?

Incidentally, my regular anonymous letter writer tells me that a cuckoo can be heard on Cliffe Common all year round. Surely he can’t be referring to me?

Ken Holmes, Cliffe Common, Selby.