For the majority of Cumbrian trainers, the past ten days since the British Horseracing Authority closed down all racing in the UK has been a matter of ‘getting on with things and keeping the horses ticking over as best they can.’

“It has been a bad time”, admitted Irthington’s Tristan Davidson.

“But we are all in the same boat and just have to carry on as best we can .”

Similar sentiments are shared by Maurice Barnes, whose Oisin was a popular winner at Carlisle on the last day that racegoers were allowed ‘on course’.

Barnes added: “It has not been possible to turn the horses out to grass as the grass hasn’t started to grow.

“We are putting them on the horse walkers for the time being and just praying that there will be at least a partial resumption in June to have some summer jumping, even if it has to be behind closed doors.”

Dianne Sayer, successful with Oceanus on the final afternoon of racing action at Wetherby, said “We are luckier than most as we don’t have a big string and as we are farmers as well, we will get along alright.

“It is the big stables who will suffer the most should the ban go on for as long as some predict.”

Over at Greystoke, the team is busy preparing the paddocks and waiting for the grass to lengthen.

Meanwhile, the horses are taking quiet exercise doing roadwork and Nicky Richards’ immediate family are trying to keep him out of the yard and recuperate from his damaged shoulder and broken ribs. “It is a tough job as you will understand,” said a stable spokesperson.

Unlike the fans of Liverpool and Leeds, who are still awaiting official confirmation of Premiership and Championship honours, the 2019/20 jumps season is at a recognised end with no further racing planned before the end of April.

Brian Hughes may not enjoy that precious moment of public acclamation on the podium at Sandown, but in a generously worded piece in last Sunday’s Racing Post reigning champion Richard Johnson surrendered his crown to his challenger before promising to be bidding for revenge next time round.

Hughes is therefore the first northern-based jumps jockey to become champion rider since Jonjo O’Neill landed the title in 1976.

Though his task was made easier by Johnson missing a month with a broken arm, Hughes is a worthy champion.

Tactically astute, he has been admirably consistent all season, a campaign incidentally when the horses from his retaining stable that of Donald McCain were never firing in the winners at the required rate.

With that in mind, Richard Hale, his Cumbrian-based agent has done a splendid job in selecting a host of possible winners from outside stables.

Johnson has proved his status as the country’s top jumps jockey since the retirement of Sir Anthony McCoy.

His current ambition is to regain his title and the continued rivalry between Johnson and Hughes promises to be one of jumping’s most exciting issues of the coming season, whenever that might start.

Prior to it finally being suspended on Tuesday, racing continued in Ireland behind closed doors and last Saturday at Thurles there was a happy reminder of quite recent times.

County Meath trainer Lorna Fowler sent out her star youngster Politesse to floor the odds on Gordon Elliott trained Fakiera in the maiden hurdle.

The filly by Beat Hollow clearly has a big future before her and it is the Lorna Fowler association which focuses the mind.

Prior to marrying army officer and well known Irish amateur rider Harry Fowler, Lorna was a most popular figure on the Border jumps scene.

Daughter of the late Sue Bradburne, she followed in the path of father Johnny and elder brother Mark, riding her first winner under rules on a family-owned chaser at Perth.

Lorna will be best remembered, however, for her role on the Racing Channel.

As one of the broadcaster’s most captivating and knowledgeable presenters, she proved an instant success with Border viewers. Her success as a trainer needs careful monitoring.