There have also been some significant events with other big races in mind, not least Many Clouds’ win in a listed chase at Kelso on Sunday. This looked some performance by last year’s Grand National winner, as he put away the smart Unioniste by 10 lengths. But next home was the exposed 11-year-old handicapper Carrigdhoun, which suggests the form was not strong.

Many Clouds has been credited with a timefigure of 151 – well below what should be required for him to follow up at Aintree in three weeks’ time – though he certainly goes there in great heart. The Last Samuri remains number one on time for the big race.

There was also the final Fast Track Qualifier for the All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Lingfield on Easter Friday in the form of the Listed Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton. The seven-furlong contest went to Mister Universe by a nose from Sovereign Debt, who conceded him 5lb, with Realize getting a troubled run in third. All three could play a significant role in the Mile Final itself, with Sovereign Debt the likeliest of them to win. This was a truly-run race, resulting in timefigures of 111 and 116 for the first two, but it was Sovereign Debt who ran quickest late on (sub-23s last two furlongs) until a lack of a recent run just found him out.