Skelton dazzles in front of a record crowd - and this time the numbers don't lie

As Harry Skelton crossed the line in front aboard Midnight River and flung his arms out wide like a cyclist saluting atop Alpe d'Huez, the question that sprang to mind is what on earth will he do if Protektorat wins the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup?

Should we have cause to find out on March 17, it will be no bad thing. The stars of this sport are the horses and jockeys, but the horses tend not to say much. We can marvel at the bravery and brilliance of jockeys, but there is also much to be said for the flair and flamboyance that hallmarks Frankie Dettori's flying dismounts. Skelton appears to have trademarked his own physical catchphrase and it is a pleasure to witness.

A gleeful gesture that first attracted widespread attention when Ashtown Lad won the Becher Chase was repeated on a day that got the new year off to a sparkling start.