Footpad's failure means Horse and Jockey form should be treated with caution

The Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase proved to be a stepping stone for Sizing John and Don Cossack in their respective Gold Cup-winning campaigns, but the jury is out over the value of the form of this year's renewal.

Whether Footpad was feeling the effects of a hard race in the King George or paid the price for racing too keenly is up for debate, but he certainly didn't run his race.

Real Steel proved an able deputy for Willie Mullins and the winner was shortened into a general 10-1 for the Ryanair Chase, which would look the obvious race for him at the Cheltenham Festival.