Racing Post experts assess the Gold Cup market following the festive action

It's now clear following Thursday's race that Sizing John wasn't right and for a horse who had not been out of the first three in 17 races over obstacles, it's worth forgiving him one howler.

That said, it obviously doesn't help his prospects of defending his Gold Cup crown, a task where recent history is against him – since Best Mate's hat-trick heroics in 2004 just seven winners have attempted a repeat the following March and all were beaten, including four as favourite.

Neither the Christmas Chase nor the King George provided huge clarity for the Gold Cup, although you can't argue with Might Bite's position in the market. He's now won his last six completed starts, the majority impressively, and on Tuesday he looked like he needed a stiffer track and a left-handed one.