I'm sticking my neck on the line - this is the best horse Nicky's ever had

ITV Racing's Matt Chapman is not afraid of making bold statements, but saying on Saturday that Shishkin is the most talented jumper in Britain was not going to draw disapproval from this corner.

Especially when I'd told former Seven Barrows stalwart Mick Fitzgerald at Ascot on Long Walk Hurdle day that the scopey son of Sholokhov was the best horse Nicky Henderson had trained.

"Do you not want him to prove it a bit more?" was the gist of Fitzgerald's reply. "I'm happy to say it now," I responded, and he's not exactly letting me down.