'The long and short of it is they have to win - if they don’t, you're buggered'

British point-to-point racing has a rich history as a breeding ground for authentic champion National Hunt horses, with Teeton Mill and See More Business among those to have crossed codes.

More recently, with the sport hit badly by the uncertainties of the pandemic, the emergence of some exciting new graduates from the ranks has been a source of both delight and relief.

Ahoy Senor, trained by Phil and Mel Rowley to win a maiden at Kimble last November, became a Grade 1 star for Lucinda Russell when galloping away from Bravemansgame at Aintree. Similarly, the Willie Mullins-trained Energumene, once successful at Larkhill for Tom and Sophie Lacey, was electric over two miles in the Irish Arkle and at Punchestown.