Go on Nicky, give us the showdown we all want to see at Punchestown

With the Grand National behind us, the jumps season clock is ticking down and many of the key storylines have been wrapped up after an eventful campaign.

Bryony Frost won the Tingle Creek after spending the week before being quizzed in a BHA inquiry, Shishkin and Energumene delivered a blockbuster at Ascot (the sequel may have disappointed but the franchise remains alive), Cheltenham dazzled as only Cheltenham can and Sam Waley-Cohen sent us home smiling from Aintree.

There will be no repeat of the enthralling race we saw last year to be crowned champion jockey – that prize was practically wrapped up before the season began in earnest by the relentless Brian Hughes – and Nicky Henderson has conceded the trainers’ championship to his eternal rival Paul Nicholls.