BY contrast, some of the novice hurdlers who were probably regarded as being just below the top tier last season have come to the fore.

Sharjah finished seventh in the Deloitte Hurdle last season, eighth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, fourth in the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Novices’ Hurdle at Fairyhouse, and sixth in the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle. Yet Willie Mullins’ horse has now won a Galway Hurdle, a Morgiana Hurdle and a Ryanair Hurdle this season, and he is a live Champion Hurdle aspirant.