Unstoppable Tizzard revelling in stable riches

Well, now we know. Aidan O'Brien has put on a few stone in weight, ditched his specs for contacts, bought some tweed, cultivated an impressive West Country burr and moved his entire operation from Ballydoyle to Milborne Port in Dorset.

The 2016 Flat season was dominated by O'Brien and, in terms of headline performances, this autumn the jumps has belonged to Colin Tizzard.

He simply bestrode Newbury yesterday, ramming home a treble spearheaded by Native River's guts-and-grind victory in the Hennessy and buttressed by Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack, who was a full-brother to flawless when taking the novice chase.