'I'd have serious concerns about backing Shishkin at a short price next time'

Next time someone tries to argue that the Cheltenham Festival spoils the jumps season, just remember how good last week was.

The highs, the lows, the sun, the rain, the spectacular, the close calls. The festival is glorious – right up there with any sporting occasion in the British calendar. The jumps season does gear towards Cheltenham, but just like the PGA Tour gears towards the Majors in golf or athletics gears towards the Olympics, it is no bad thing – celebrate it.

Last Monday I was fearing the worst as measly field sizes in some of the Grade 1s cast real doubt over the future of the sport. This week I am writing this column still not quite believing just how loud that Friday crowd was singing Don’t Take Me Home at the start of the Martin Pipe.