Passion aplenty in jump racing's heartlands - but there are deep-seated fears too

We are barely in October and Cheltenham is already the talk of the town. The recent festival changes unveiled by the Jockey Club were designed to appeal to racegoers but they have proved divisive, with fans and participants alike split between those believing the changes go too far and those arguing they have not gone far enough.

In light of a recent visit to Lambourn, I find myself in the latter group. The narrow roads to the 'Valley of the Racehorse' are a familiar jaunt for any racing journalist and last month led me to the yard of Warren Greatrex, who is preparing for the impending winter jumps campaign after a meaningful foray into the Flat with his first string of juveniles.

I went there expecting to hear about the thrill of a new challenge and perhaps the financial fillip of expanding on the Flat, but I came away more concerned than ever about the state of British jump racing.