You're bonkers if you believe Sean Bowen is the best jump jockey around - here's the real number one and it's not even up for debate

Step aside State Man, your reign as the most underappreciated champion of our sport is over. In fairness, you've had a good shot at it. The guts of five years winning almost every race you ran in, most of them Grade 1s, and not even a smidgen of admiration along the way. The odd nod of approval, but nobody outside the Closutton camp seemed to care that you were racking up sensational sequences. When you won, it was always the opposition's fault. When you lost, there was always a chorus of, 'I told you so'. 

Then, all of a sudden, when you tweak a tendon and miss an entire season, everything changes. Now you were the glue that held the Champion Hurdle together and we have no idea what to do without you. Even your trainer has been left stranded. Anzadam was supposed to step into your shoes, but now it's Lossiemouth. We'll be a lot wiser in a week or so but, anyway, thanks for your stint State Man. You were superb in the role as king of the underappreciated. 

The crown is staying in Closutton, though. In fact, it's going to the man on your back.