Great greys do it from the front as Wincanton's fences prove trickier than those at Aintree

If the Grand National fences had never been reduced from the fearsome sight they presented 40 years ago, King Turgeon is the sort of horse who would still have coped beautifully. Even allowing for the possibility that he is a mile or two clear of the handicapper, he put up a joyful performance in Saturday's Grand Sefton, bounding over the spruce and maintaining his effort right to the line.

If anyone is minded to suggest that the National fences no longer offer any test at all, tell that to backers of Sure Touch, whose four-race winning streak seemed doomed from an early stage. He got low at a few and only ran on when it was clear there were no more obstacles before him. 

In an old National, his jockey might have made a business decision to pull up. But there were no fallers or unseated riders in this Grand Sefton, the first time that's happened in a race over the National fences for 21 years.