We saw another absolutely top class performance in this division when Trifolium (43) won the Arkle at Leopardstown. He chased a fierce gallop, turned into the straight cruising, slipped clear and never looked like being caught.

The big question now is whether Trifolium will be able to show the same level of form in the Arkle at Cheltenham. The answer is probably ‘no’ because he’s had breathing problems in the past and such horses tend to have problems coping with steep uphill finishes.

Trifolium did run third in the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham. However the ground was fast that day and the early pace rather slow. He ran below form when second twice at Navan and was well beaten when trying heavy ground at Newcastle the other times he’s tackled tracks with steep uphill finishes. He’s won five of his last eight starts on other tracks and finished a close second to Grade 1 performers in two of his losses.

Runner-up Felix Yonger (40) kept on but couldn’t get to the winner. This is the second time in a row he’s encountered unsuitably soft ground. His record on a faster surface is tremendous. It’s also the second time in a row that he’s stayed on well at the finish. I can see why trainer Willie Mullins is talking about stepping him up in distance.

I’d still be looking at the Arkle as he’s twice earned huge speed ratings from me over two miles. If he goes further, I guess the choice between the JLT and the Powers Gold Cup will be made by the ground. He’ll go for whichever one offers fast ground.

Third placed Mozoltov (38) tired late and ran to the same level he did at Fairyhouse last time on my ratings. It looks clear he’s a cut below the very best novices and is a Grade 3 horse.

Defy Logic (22) went off at a terrific gallop as usual but seemed to have something going on with his jumping. He bounced over most of the jumps in his usual style but on landing over four of them (first, fourth, sixth and ninth) his back-end gave way slightly.

He’s done this a few times. I guess it’s a natural consequence of his exuberant jumping.

If you jump as long, big and fast as he does, you land pretty hard. He stopped soon after turning in and was allowed to slow to a walk from before the last. It turned out he’d broken a blood vessel and will now be rested.