TOP Notch, in the same colours as the outstanding Bristol De Mai, was a most authoritative winner of the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot with a timefigure of 163. Good though he was, anything higher than that would have the trio who followed him home – Double Shuffle, Frodon and Flying Angel – running higher than the low-150s that their wider form deserves.

Anyone expecting a smart timefigure from the handicap chase on the same card will be disappointed. Sir Valentino was racing off a high BHA mark but ran the race in an average speed slower than Top Notch had done despite having about half a mile less to travel: his timefigure comes out at just 128.