It isn’t just the Autumn chill that’s making race fans shiver. Listowel traditionally refocuses attention towards the jumps, provoking familiar anticipation about the impeding return of National Hunt racing’s greatest stars. The flat has its qualities but the jumps always trump it for sentiment. And it’s that sentiment which makes the idea of Douvan not being targeted at the Gold Cup this winter so infuriating.

As is the way of such things there will be reviews of ‘Longines Irish Champions Weekend’ which will include microscopic examination of the little details we are always assured are vital to the make- up of every major sporting, and indeed corporate, event. No doubt there will be bullet-points aplenty. So while as a rule ‘Top Ten’ presentations really should be bulleted, here are some random shots at the weekend action.