IF the defeat of Bravemansgame in Saturday’s Betfair Chase put the knife into the form of last season’s Gold Cup, then the third-place finish for Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan on Sunday twisted it.

Both the Cheltenham winner and runner-up were beaten at odds-on in their races last weekend and with the form behind them hardly working out either, a couple of theories have emerged about the race: could it have been a bad version of the blue riband or was it too good, leaving a mark on those that took part?