THE Grade 2 Lightning Novices at Doncaster was an exciting race because Three Kingdoms and Solar Impulse engaged in a protracted duel all the way from the sixth last fence.

A blunder at the third last seemed likely to seal the fate of Three Kingdoms (38) but a typically driving ride from Tony McCoy and a display of raw stamina from his mount enabled the pair to get up on the line. It’s a bit worrying that Three Kingdoms has lost all three times he’s run at Cheltenham while winning six of his last seven starts elsewhere.

However, he was third at the course once and I’m inclined to think a step up to two and a half miles will see him run well there or anywhere. He’s built for the longer distance and certainly ran like he wanted it here.

The runner-up Solar Impulse (38) is a keen going athletic sort and an excellent jumper. He looked to have the race in the bag when his rival blundered but got mugged on the line.

This is the second time in a row Solar Impulse has earned a big speed rating from me. He’s such a nippy, agile sort I have to believe he’d do better at Aintree than Cheltenham.