COURSE records over jumps are often best taken with a pinch of salt. In many cases, distances, fences, and even the way in which races themselves are timed, have altered almost beyond recognition over the years.

Nonetheless, it is fair to say that Cloth Cap ran fast in historical terms – a course record according to Racing Post – when winning last Saturday’s Ladbrokes Trophy Chase at Newbury by 10 lengths in 6m 21.6s according to my timepiece.