IT is eight years since King’s Theatre died, but what a legacy he has left. He is a sire who keeps on giving, and his influence is sure to be felt for many years to come.

His final crop includes Champ, named in honour of the great A P McCoy, and he added a second Grade 1 success to his tally of victories at Aintree when he landed the Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, following his win earlier in the Betway Challow Hurdle at Newbury. He was runner-up at Cheltenham in the Grade 1 Ballymore Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle and has now finished first or second on all his nine outings.