NAAS did its bit to lift the pre-Cheltenham torpor on Sunday, when Sutton Place won the listed novice hurdle and Sub Lieutenant landed the Grade 3 Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase.

It could be argued that the true significance of the former race – in which the winner posted an unremarkable 127 timefigure – was in the defeat of the front two in the market, Gurteen and Attribution, who filled the last two places. The pair had each been second to Min in earlier appearances, with Attribution doing so just the start before. The likelihood is that both were a long way from their best but backers of Min for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle doubtless hoped to see something better.