‘He’s improved immensely and the sky’s the limit for him - in terms of potential, he’s up there with the best two-milers I’ve trained’

He reckons this might be his 25th annual Racing Post Stable Tour, but even after 34 years at the helm the hectic pace of a day in Ditcheat with Paul Nicholls never slackens.

In between four lots we discuss the highs and lows of a topsy-turvy past 12 months: big-race glory in the Paddy Power and Coral Gold Cups, Grade 1s at Ascot and Aintree, and a big handicap at the Cheltenham Festival. Then the lows – that shattering mid-season slump in form, the reasons for which never became apparent.

There was also the news that Caldwell Potter will miss the season, but against the backdrop of a 40 per cent strike-rate with his summer jumpers the trainer still goes into the winter season with his trademark enthusiasm running at full throttle, and the winter squad has hit a rich vein of form in the last fortnight. You may no longer hear talk of the trainers’ championship but Nicholls is convinced the likes of Kalif Du Berlais and Regent’s Stroll spearhead a team that is rich in Grade 1 potential, if slightly down in terms of overall numbers. He is surely destined to remain competitive at the highest level.