'I support a resumption wherever and whenever it comes and in whatever form'

Mark Johnston is extraordinarily good at training winners and expressing strong opinions. The first of those avenues has been temporarily closed to him but the opinions are still there and they are strong. Yet even Johnston freely admits when it comes to the subject that now dominates any conversation, he is every bit as perplexed as the rest of us.

From the man who has sent out more winners than any trainer in British racing history, there is a firm belief that British racing's drawbridge was raised prematurely.

He is adamant the sport was stopped too soon and equally adamant it must restart at the earliest possible moment, no matter when, where or how. Yet when asked if he truly comprehends what has happened to all our lives and whether the coronavirus crisis is being handled correctly by the government, Johnston readily concedes he is just like the rest of us.