RACING analysts have developed sophisticated means for comparing times achieved under different circumstances and on different days. But there is nothing quite like comparing horses running over the same course and distance within a short space of time, especially over jumps, in which sphere variable going, amended distances, and other factors, can otherwise confuse the picture.

The one-on-one between the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase and the Tingle Creek Chase, run at the same distance at Sandown on a Saturday in early December, is frequently one of the most fruitful. More often than not, the latter is quicker overall than the former – as you would expect for seasoned chasers compared to novices – but there have been quite a few exceptions of late.