‘I’ve never had to deal with that in my career and I did find it hard - you start asking yourself what you’re doing wrong’

He has the look of a man who knows something of huge importance is imminent.

The clock has just struck 11 but Wincanton's gates are still to be unlocked. As he waits for someone to move the parked car that has caused the minor delay, Paul Nicholls paces around, walking an invisible box. When the signal is given, he moves past the fixture's first paying customers, heads to a building, climbs stairs at pace and then enters a room he has rented for years. Not long now.

Only two horses were declared for the beginners' chase, which explains why it was moved to the start of the card, helpfully for Nicholls, as it means the wait has been shortened. Like the 14-time champion trainer, Regent's Stroll has made the 20-minute journey from Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat to the operation's local racecourse. Also like his trainer, he is waiting to be unleashed.