'We're very happy with him - and the plan is to get him ready for Cheltenham'

Times are good at Barbury Castle with every reason to look forward to the winter with excitement.

Yes, there is more emphasis on the Flat now and top-class stayer Trueshan heads a strong team that passed £600,000 in prize-money for the third time in four seasons in 2022.

But Alan King has been a jumps fan since childhood days spent watching stalwart northern chasers do battle at nearby Ayr and there was no disguising his delight at ending seven years without a Cheltenham Festival victory last March.