'You would take a short price that Native River will thrive'

This is perhaps the most exciting news to emerge in this fledgling jumps season. Before Native River won the Hennessy (now known as the Ladbrokes Trophy) and Welsh National in his second season over fences in 2016, he was considered as much a Grand National type as one for the Gold Cup.

What have we seen in the meantime that might change that view? Absolutely nothing. In fact, I challenge anyone to watch his Gold Cup win and not get excited about the prospect of him taking on Tiger Roll in April.

While horsemen and analysts unite in the view that you can never take a horse's suitability to Aintree's spruce fences for granted until they try it, you would take a short price that Native River will thrive. He is a game, bold-jumping sort who has already won two of the three British races that are the best practice for a Grand National.