I AM delighted that this column has followed the career of The Yellow Clay (Yeats) from the start, and there is no reason to stop now that he has graduated to winning a Grade 1, the Lawlor’s of Naas Slaney Novice Hurdle.

What a record that race has, being won by so many stars of National Hunt racing. It truly deserves its Grade 1 ranking, and if there was a higher level, it would surely be in that category.