With five to jump, thanks to a rather ordinary gallop, they were running almost four seconds slower than they went in the Pertemps Hurdle on the same card. From there they came home four and a half seconds faster than the useful handicappers. The two horses that made the final big push were the unbeaten pair More Of That and Annie Power. They rapidly pulled clear of the rest on the run-in as they duelled to the line.

More Of That (38-pace adjusted 43) just won the duel and established himself as one of the best staying hurdlers in years. He’s as good as Big Buck’s at his peak if my ratings are any guide.