Joltin N Jiving

That Carlisle win came on only his second race over hurdles, which immediately raised eyebrows. McCain then did something he freely admits he wouldn't normally do — he sent the horse straight to Aintree for the Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle, one of the most prestigious young horses' races in Britain. That's a bit like a newcomer winning a local tennis tournament and then being entered for Wimbledon. The fact that he ran respectably there, rather than being swallowed up by the occasion, tells you something real about the horse's ability.

His recent form — finishing second twice in his last six races — suggests he's knocking on the door without quite forcing it open. He races most regularly at Class 4 level, where he has won 1 from 4, a rate of 25% or 1 in every 4, which is solid. Brian Hughes, who rides him in nearly every race and has been aboard for all seven of his hurdles runs, knows him well — they've won together once from seven attempts, around 1 in every 7.

McCain is candid that last season brought a couple of setbacks, but says the horse is going well now and that the team genuinely believes in him. The plan is to stay over hurdles for now, though at some point he'll be pointed at a fence. A horse that handled a Grade 1 on only his third career race has clearly got something to build on — the question is whether this season is when it starts to show.