The sooner the dispute is over between the stalls handlers and RaceTech the better on the early evidence of their industrial action.
They are in dispute over losing up to £7,000 a year in expenses and allowances and their withdrawal of labour for the Vodafone Temple Stakes at Epsom on Friday resulted in a farcical flip-start to the Vodafone Temple Stakes when one horse took no part and another was detached from the rest.
Their absence from selective races at different venues has only strengthened their case and made everybody realise what an important job they do. At Doncaster on Saturday, there was another example of how professional these handlers are after Ann's Delight had got stirred up in the stalls before the Errol Taylor Meningitis Research Foundation Challenge Maiden Stakes.
The filly burst out underneath the stalls, forcing her saddle back as far as it could go, with the elastic girths causing considerable discomfort.
It took skill and no shortage of courage to catch the filly and relieve her of her gear, thus preventing a potentially dangerous situation.
The race was won by Space Shuttle, blinkered for the first time, and the victory means apprentice David Allan needs only one more winner before losing his 3lb claim.
