WATCHING last weekend’s racing action a thought struck of how it can be a great advantage to be a front-runner.

The wins of Smad Place, Ziga Boy and Bonny Kate were characterised by bold jumping that exposed any errors in rivals all the while saving energy and gaining an extra length here and there. Once you get into a rhythm out front, others are forced to be error free to match it and any error can suddenly put you two lengths behind. That is bound to be a bit demoralising for any challenger.

Djakadam’s fall at Cheltenham must make it more likely Walsh picks Vautour as his Gold Cup ride and impartial observers must hope he does, just to see how the master jockey will ride the race.

The King George form, as it ever is, is strong, so Vautour’s run puts him in the thick of things, especially on better ground.

Should he be allowed to use his jumping, so spring-heeled last year, and gain maybe lengths through the race but risk his stamina ebbing away in the final stages?

Many will always argue if they are going to stay, it won’t matter what way they are ridden, though Walsh said he should have held on longer in the King George.

It will be fascinating to see how the Gold Cup unfolds if Smad Place is now the guaranteed pace setter. Coneygree set a precedent and showed it can be done last year.