It was, I'm afraid, the usual story with Spring Dawn. He had the benefit of Tony McCoy on board, but it was the same as ever: he jumped well and bowled along having but, when push came shove, there was nothing in the tank and he came sixth.

It's all hugely frustrating as he jumps so well. We might move back to 2 miles again and, as Tony McCoy suggested, go for broke by galloping off in front and hoping he holds on. Watch this space.

Meanwhile, having tipped Nicky's Fondmort at 7/1 last autumn, here's another one, at much better odds. I am told that Fleet Street has to be backed (each way) for the first race of Cheltenham Festival, the Supreme Novices Hurdle, on 16th March (less than a fortnight away, hurrah!). He's still 25/1 in places, but 14/1 in others. Lump on.

(The usual disclaimers, of course - if he ends up falling at the first, and you lose your mortgage, tough. C'est la vie. If he wins, though, I expect your eternal gratitude.)