THE legacy of the late Lord Oaksey is sure to live long in the sport, his riding feats impressive in the Corinthian tradition, but paling next to his achievement with the pen, and his tireless work for the Injured Jockeys Fund probably being his greatest achievement. There are other legacies, too, notably the continued success of his broodmare Plaid Maid, who has produced one Hennessy Gold Cup winner in Carruthers, and Coneygree now looks set to eclipse the deeds of his celebrated half-brother.

A son of Karinga Bay, Coneygree is more robust that his siblings, with Plaid Maid’s other progeny big of heart but rather smaller of stature. That led Bradstock, the noble lord’s son-in-law, to declare him the best he’d trained when the gelding landed a brace of Grade 2 wins over hurdles at Cheltenham in the 2012/13 season. Missing the following term was seen as a blow to his small yard, but it’s more than possible that an extended break has enabled him to fill his frame, and he showed when making all on his chase debut at Newbury on Friday that he’s a genuinely top-class prospect granted easy ground.