UN De Sceaux was good at Ascot on Saturday. He travelled easily for Ruby Walsh, his jumping was good and he clocked a really good time. Ascot’s fences are stiff, upright fences, they present a fair test, and Un De Sceaux negotiated them well. He appeared to be listening to his rider and, in the main, he met his fences in his stride, he was fluent over them.

This was important. Remember that, hugely talented and exciting steeplechaser though he is, on his first run in a chase outside of novice company, he had fallen. It was important that he put in clear round at least, and a performance like Saturday’s was perfect. On ratings, it was the best run of his life.