We all know how competitive trainers are, so for Paul Nicholls to watch his former assistant trainer, Dan Skelton, win with a horse that he previously trained will always be tough.

But for Kabral Du Mathan to win in the fashion he did on just his first start for Dan, it must have really rubbed salt in the wound, writes Page Fuller.

Compared to the other action on offer over the weekend, a class 2 handicap hurdle at Haydock might not have been the obvious place to start. But given Kabral Du Mathan easily put 12 lengths between himself and the runner up, lumping the second-highest weight on his back, he won’t be seen in handicaps any more.

The market support suggested the yard expected him to arrive in peak condition, but what blew me away was his ability to quicken and maintain his run to the line.

His final half-mile time of 52.30 seconds was not only the fastest on the day, but it is also the seventh fastest final half mile we have recorded at Haydock. This is from 666 horses that have run over fences and hurdles, so a fine example of sustained speed to the line.

His top speed of 36.53mph three furlongs from home was also around 1.5mph faster than any other horse in the race.

Whilst you may not have needed the numbers to tell you how much of a rocket he looked, hopefully this gives you the context of how impressive this performance really was.

It did not get missed by the handicapper when reassessing his mark (up 14lb), but he should be on to bigger and better things next time anyway. The Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day has been mentioned as his likely next target.