It was interesting that when Jason The Militant took the Grade 2 Paddy Power Betting Shop Novice Hurdle at Naas yesterday, his owner Peter Michael declined the chance to receive his memento prize from the sponsors.

To clarify, Michael still received the prize money for the race but chose not to accept the prize off Paddy Power in the presentation after the two-mile novice hurdle. That might seem like small beer to some but talking the talk is one thing but acting to it is another, and this was an admirable show from the owner.