'I'd have to say I'm more confident doing my job than I've ever been in my life'

Donald McCain's got one for the Grand National. There's nothing unusual about that, you might think – his family have won the race five times, after all, and made it practically their own back in the 1970s – except that for the past two years he hasn't even had a runner in the race, and to tell the truth, this live prospect is a wet-behind-the-ears hurdler who won't get his chance until 2020, even if all goes according to plan.

McCain is playing a long game – and in fairness to his low-key reputation he comes up with the name of Uppertown Prince only under severe duress – but there's a significance in the moment that shouldn't be allowed to go under anybody's radar. Where briefly there was turmoil and strife at Bankhouse Stables, the old ways have returned; where once there was hurry and worry, now there is calm and strategy.

The word 'continuity', for a short while scratched from the family motto, has been reinstated and the accompanying mood has returned to something rather more in keeping with the enduring dignity of the surrounding Cholmondeley Castle estate.