'He's transformed over the summer and jumps unbelievably well for a novice'

There always seems a spring in the step of Harry Whittington, who is still floating on cloud nine after a fine campaign that included a first winner at the Cheltenham Festival thanks to Simply The Betts in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate.

That was the icing on a tasty cake for the affable trainer, whose street cred has been boosted by welcoming top owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede into the yard.

"It was our best season in terms of winners, prize-money, having a Cheltenham Festival winner and where we finished in the trainers' title," he said.