He knew more about pace and speed ratings than any person I know and would talk about such horses ‘being on a great line’ - meaning they were obviously improving.

I thought about Cary when I looked at the ratings I’ve awarded Restless Harry (33-pace adjusted 38) for his last three starts - 36 at Newbury, 37 and now 38 for his recent win at Ascot.

I really liked the way Restless Harry battled his way past a determined runner-up at Ascot. I also liked the way he jumped the fences more slickly than he has in the past.

Up until his win at Newbury last month, Restless Harry had lost all 13 times that he’d run in races with more than a single-figure field. It looks like now, at 10 years of age, he doesn’t need plenty of room to get over a jump.

I’m therefore going to be very wary about saying he won’t cope with the big field that will line up for what might be his next race, the Festival Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. He was a Grade 1 horse over hurdles on my ratings, so he’s clearly got the scope for a good deal more improvement over fences.

The runner-up Teaforthree (33-pace adjusted 38) is a big one-paced horse who is a very safe jumper and stays forever. He engaged in a sustained duel with the winner up the straight and only just went under.

Teaforthree always seems to need his first run of the season. He also appears suited by big galloping courses, as you’d expect from a horse with his build. If this photo-finish had gone his way he would have won all five times that he’s run in ungraded races on galloping tracks after his seasonal debut. He’s clearly competitive in at least Grade 3 company too, as evidenced by his second and third place finishes in the Welsh National and last year’s Grand National. I see no reason why Teaforthree shouldn’t run a big race in the Grand National once more.

In fact my suspicion is that now the fences have been made so easy the result of last year’s Grand National is going to serve as a model for future renewals. That is the race is going to go to horses that have proven stamina and have shown good form over hurdles.

The first three horses’ home last year had all reached the first three in the English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish National that season or the one before and earned a Racing Post rating bigger than 135 over hurdles. Only three entrants fit that profile this year - Hawkes Point, Teaforthree and Tidal Bay.