I CANNOT agree with the comments made about cruelty in horse racing.

The trauma suffered by the trainers and their staff, when their horses were injured at Cheltenham, was well covered up by the TV.

The lads and lasses who look after these equine heroes were heartbroken at losing their charges.

Anyone who has lost a well-loved pet will understand their grief.

If there was no horse racing, these marvellous creatures would be sold for horsemeat or left out in the fields to cope on their own. Instead of which, they live pampered lives of luxury at our top racing stables.

So long may this sport prosper. After all, it costs the public nothing, unless you are a compulsive gambler, who would soon find something else to waste their money on.

Mr R Keeler, Rainsborough Way, York.