THEY say that all roads lead to Cheltenham in March, but they damn near didn’t last spring, and a blithe assurance that it will be business as usual in 11 weeks time betrays either a lack of comprehension of the current state of affairs or a healthy dose of denial which keeps you from underneath the wheels of the 10:27 to Swindon.

Each to their own. At least jump racing’s road through Christmas made it to its destination, with the postponement of the Welsh National rather more traditional than its timely celebration.