Stamina and class are the crucial factors in the modern-day Grand National, not jumping ability

Read the thoughts of Tom Segal every week in the Racing Post Weekender. The Weekender is out every Wednesday and is available in all good newsagents, or you can subscribe here

Bad jumpers can win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Thirteen years ago AP McCoy drove the JP McManus-owned Synchronised clear up the Cheltenham hill with horse's comment in running reading: "Hit 1st and 3rd, in rear next, mistake and pushed along 7th, hit 11th, headway and mistake 18th, staying on but only 6th when hit 3 out, rallied under pressure from 2 out, driven to press leaders last, led soon after, kept on gamely."

However, the only reason Synchronised won was because the race fell apart, and if you were to ask me what sets a top-class chaser apart from most other good chasers it would be quick, fluent fencing. The very best chasers tend to find jumping fun and effortless rather than those who find it a chore and are in the self-preservation society.