IT could be argued that the most significant race at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival for the longer-term was the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase on the Wednesday.

Three well-fancied horses came clear of some very useful rivals and in the process stamped themselves as clear Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders further down the line.

Topofthegame came out on top by half a length from Santini, who had an interrupted preparation and lost a shoe during the race, with Delta Work a length and three quarters back in third.

I have figures of 166, 161 and 157 on them respectively, which has them snapping at the heels of the best established staying chasers with the likelihood of better still to come.

Those figures are sectionally-adjusted ones, as the overall time of the RSA was probably not especially fast on a day when direct comparisons with other chases at the same or similar distance do not exist.

I make Topofthegame’s finishing speed at the extended three miles to be 108% of his average race speed, underlining that this turned into something of a test of speed at the trip.

Topofthegame seemed to win on merit on the day, but Santini has bottomless stamina and his connections are entitled to fancy a rematch. In the meantime, Delta Work lost no caste in defeat and can be regarded as the best Irish-trained staying novice chaser at present.