Gordon Elliott benefitted hugely from the Gigginstown split from Willie Mullins, to the extent that initial reactions were that it would make him a big threat to the Mullins’ trainers’ title chance. Things settled down to a more normal appearance over the Christmas with Willie’s amazing 22 winners. What was obvious was that Gordon has the numbers, Willie has the star horses and that’s what counts as the big meetings of the season come upon us.

Elliott must also look at Ryanair Hurdle winner Petit Mouchoir as one that got away, and twice at that, given that he had trained him for Gigginstown as a four-year-old to win the Goffs Land Rover at Punchestown before Willie trained him for his novice hurdle campaign.