Thistlecrack, Native River and 2017 offer hope that the best is yet to come

Rip it up and start again. After Thistlecrack, the temptation was to invoke, evoke Peter O'Sullevan's line about Nijinsky, when he spluttered 'what manner of horse is this?'.

Spool existence on 24 hours and there's Native River to contend with. I'd better file sharpish before Colin Tizzard brings out Alary.

Thistlecrack was, of course, phenomenal. More strategic, logical minds than mine will even now be allotting him a place in the hierarchy – roll over Desert Orchid, tell Kauto Star the news – but the bare facts of the matter are that after just four races over fences he's unlikely to stay too long in his allotted position. The sky may be the limit and, after a performance characterised by a startlingly beautiful and unexpectedly clinical assuredness, it would be no surprise.