Gold Cup picture even murkier but Politologue looks big at 16-1 for Ryanair

Huge anticipation, huge fences and a huge performance from Bristol De Mai; the question we are all asking ourselves now is whether the display was simply down to the track or is this a new and improved Bristol De Mai who can repeat the feat in a Gold Cup?

Ladbrokes trimmed Bristol De Mai into 16-1 for the Gold Cup afterwards, but you can get 20-1 with Paddy Power. That price will interest plenty but not me. Nor could you think about backing Might Bite at 7-1, 8-1 or even 9-1. He seemed spooked by the size of the fences in the first mile of the race and clambered over the last. His confidence could be shot after that.

Daryl Jacob celebrates after a second Betfair Chase win on Bristol De MaiCredit: Edward Whitaker

Colin Tizzard described the fences as the biggest he had ever seen in his life. That is some statement. He will be thrilled by the performances of Native River and Thistlecrack.