'Sir Henry was always on form at this time of year - it was like D-day to us'

February 1 is not as significant a date in the Newmarket calendar as it once was. Thirty or so years ago it was a very different story – the day one particularly notable trainer would emerge from winter quarters.

Rather than tackle an East Anglian winter, Sir Henry Cecil would have his troops shut away behind closed doors at Warren Place for much of the off-season, confined to trotting around the cosy covered ride.

Come the end of January, however, a countdown would commence to February 1 when the turf canter on Warren Hill opened, as it did this Tuesday.