Get over your Cheltenham obsession and you'd see just how good Bristol De Mai is

Bristol De Mai ranks in the top ten chasers since Racing Post Ratings began in 1988 – so why would he not be that high on the list of most-loved chasers in the modern era or even among those whose achievements are most appreciated?

Even if he wins a fourth Betfair Chase on Saturday, which would match Kauto Star's record, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained grey will not raise the roof in the same way as his illustrious predecessor did when he completed the four-timer in 2011.

There are various reasons why Bristol De Mai has not captured the imagination in the same way as other high-ranking stars, but surely one of them goes to the heart of the debate about the structure of the jumps season and the unremitting focus on the Cheltenham Festival as the be-all and end-all.