BRITISH Champions Day last year was run on ground that was soft (heavy in places). There were three winning favourites (Stradivarius, Roaring Lion and Cracksman) and only one of the six winners (Sands Of Mali, 28/1) was sent off at greater than 8/1.

The meeting was run on ground that was soft too in 2017 (officially, heavy down the hill into Swinley Bottom) and, again, three of the six races were won by the favourites (Order Of St George, Lord Glitters and Cracksman again) and, again, only one winner went off at greater than 8/1. None went off at greater than 10/1. It may be that today’s winners will not come from that far out of left field.