As we continue to climb the excitement mountain of the National Hunt season, leaving behind the Cheltenham Open meeting, Betfair Day at Haydock and what I still call the Hennessy Gold Cup (Ladbrokes Trophy) at Newbury, reputations will have been as quickly extinguished as they were made.
So while the supposed next Arkle, Envoi Allen, is being regarded by many as the banker of the Cheltenham Festival next March, in all probability in the Marsh Chase, so the tank is beginning to empty on the racing careers of the mighty atom, Tiger Roll and Defi Di Seuil, while Easysland is no longer the Cross Country mammoth we thought he was.
And so we move onto a Christmas Classic, the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day followed by the lung-bursting, hero-making Welsh National at Chepstow.
The former was long the domain of the Dickinson clan (6 wins), transformed into the land of the Desert Orchid (4 breathless victories) and then moved onto the Paul Nicholls’ show (11 successes).
So can the master of Ditcheat make it a round dozen? Well it is odds-on he will reach that amazing number, with Clan des Obeaux on a hat-trick aided and abetted by the highest-rated chaser in training, Cyrname.
Esta historia es de la edición December 2020 de Racing Ahead.
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Esta historia es de la edición December 2020 de Racing Ahead.
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SHARK'S GOT A BIT BETWEEN HIS TEETH
Alex Gifford reckons Hewick will be ready and refreshed for the National after his Gold Cup absence
THEY'RE BACKING LOSERS AND WE'LL PAY THE PRICE
Rolf Johnson blasts unelected officials meddling with gambling regulations while the 'impotent' BHA stand aside
THERE'S BOUNTI IN IT FOR BOUGHEY
Dave Youngman does the rounds on the gallops at headquarters and spotlights a promising new crop
SUMMER DAYS FOR ALL WEATHER TRIO
It's cash bonuses all round for the stars of rubber and sand, writes Ian Heitman
FOLLOW THE VAN
Paul Jacobs is keeping faith with Gavin Cromwell and last year's Grand National runner-up
IT'S SAFETY FIRST BUT NOBLE'S MY WINNER
Sky Racing frontman Robert Cooper casts a wistful eye back on old-school Nationals - but he's fixed on Yeats
GET SET FOR AN EASTER CRACKER!
Karl Hedley picks out runners and riders who can shine in the aftermath of Cheltenham
COR BLIMEY! WHAT A CRACKING CLIMAX
Ben Morgan looks to Cheltenham stars Slade Steel and Corach Rambler to star on Aintree's biggest day
BANBOU TAKES A BOW
Frero can top 'em in the Topham for Venetia Williams
DAWNING TO OPEN FOR IN-FORM DAN
Ben Morgan sees the Skelton brothers getting off to a winning start on Day 1