Oscar Whisky well worth his place against Big Buck's in World Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival

"My instinct is that he’ll get three [miles]. You saw what happened when we went an extra half-mile at Cheltenham and it’s only another three furlongs in the World Hurdle.

“Of course we bump into Big Buck’s, which is daunting. But he has the speed to travel with Big Buck’s and if the stamina holds out, then we’ve as good a chance as anything of getting near him.

"But let’s get Ffos Las out of the way before we make too many decisions.”

As Henderson pointed out, it was not until Big Buck’s beat his Punchestowns, firstly in the Cleeve Hurdle and then the World Hurdle, that people realised quite how good he was.

“Punchestowns was a very good stayer, but he’d never have finished third in a Champion.”

Trainer Martin Lynch has ruled Oscar Time, last season’s Grand National runner-up, out of this year’s race after the 11 year-old developed a tendon injury.

The gelding very nearly completed a Gold Cup-Grand National double for his amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen, who said: “It just reminds you to make the most of the good days.”

Nicky Henderson, racehorse trainer, provides a Cheltenham Festival hint with Bobs Worth

At the weekend, the most significant move came for the Nicky Henderson-trained Bobs Worth, who shortened to 5-1 (from
6-1) for the RSA Chase, even though he had been beaten five and a quarter lengths by Grands Crus in the Feltham Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. And there was a reason.

Clearly, Henderson believes there is nothing to lose. It may all count on the big occasion.

New-look McCririck is wasted on Channel 4 subs' bench

You may have missed it, but John McCririck underwent what is termed ‘a makeover’ during the week.

The mutton-chops were given a trim, hair slicked back under a fashionable Aussie bush hat, and somebody stumped up for a navy Saville Row pinstripe. He’d also had a wash.

It has been pointed out that Racing For Change could probably spend racing’s dwindling finances more wisely. But I’m not so sure.

As much as Channel 4 try easing their ageing star out of the picture, they cannot escape the fact that he is still the most recognisable face in racing. And that includes Dettori, McCoy, Cecil, etc.

Racing For Change’s next move is to remind Channel 4 of that fact, and to demand they take him off the bench (where he spends the majority of Saturdays). But only if he wears his new wardrobe.