1. Whip rules: First things first. It was a superb training performance by Gordon Elliott to produce Bayan in the form that he was in to land The Ladbroke last Saturday.

Second in the Galway Hurdle in July – like Elliott’s previous The Ladbroke winner Cause Of Causes – the Core Syndicate’s horse had not run since he finished fourth in that good handicap at Leopardstown on Irish Champions’ Weekend.