Cue's Gold Cup claims every bit as strong as Thistlecrack and River

Over the paragraphs that follow you are supposed to get some cold, clear, incisive analysis of how the Saturday action could impact on the festival.

Alternatively, we could just wallow in the happiness Cue Card creates, while also, of course, studiously assessing his Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup claims in the light of his ninth Grade 1 victory in the Betfair Ascot Chase.

In reality, though, most of us want him to win it, whether we've backed him, plan to back him or intend to back another horse, probably one trained by Colin Tizzard. That's because Cue Card is far more important than punting. He defines jump racing and why we adore it.