MOST racing fans may still have their heads full of staying chase form and be relishing the build-up to Punchestown but over in France the flat season is well and truly under way, with the drier than usual spring meaning that some of the stars of summer have already been out.

The big spring talking point has come off the track, as shockwaves continue to reverberate around the industry following the March 22nd dawn raids on 30 different equine establishments as part of a police anti-doping investigation which has been titled ‘The Horse Connection Affair’.