It has been a truly extraordinary few days of racing, and there simply are not enough column inches to cover it all, writes Martin Higgs, of Taunton Racecourse.
So, here goes a 'brief' attempt which, for yours truly, is never easy.
It all began on Friday with the Winter Millions meeting, spread across three days: Friday and Sunday at Windsor, with Ascot hosting Saturday.
Strong prize money brought out high-quality horses and as a result, first-class racing.
The standout on Friday was Potters Charm.
He may not quite be Stayers’ Hurdle material at Cheltenham, but the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell looks right up his street – one for the black book.
Saturday provided a wealth of entertainment.
Closer to home, Taunton staged its only weekend meeting of the season.
A strong crowd and healthy fields are always a winning combination, and this fixture did not disappoint.
Highlights included the progressive Celtic Art landing the feature race under Chad Bament for Jeremy Scott; Jack Stenhouse riding his first winner under Rules on Bataillon, with his father present on his birthday; and champion jockey Sean Bowen demonstrating his class by winning the opening three races, one of them at 8/1.
That leads nicely to Ascot and Jonbon’s victory in the Clarence House Chase, ridden by James Bowen.
Much had been written last week about Harry Cobden taking up a retainer with J P McManus and being set to ride the horse, but injury earlier in the day ruled him out and James was called up.
He had ridden Jonbon only once before at Cheltenham, it would be fair to say it did not go well so there was a point to prove for both horse and rider.
They proved it emphatically.
Jonbon is a horse of a lifetime, but for James the success meant so much.
He was devastated after the defeat at Cheltenham, and this felt like fitting recompense.
Having spent plenty of time racing in South Wales, I can say the Bowen family are among the hardest-working and most approachable people in the sport.
The success now enjoyed by all three brothers (Mickey training) is testament to that and to parents Peter and Karen, who have clearly not done a bad job!
Saturday was not short of West Country success either.
Jeremy Scott struck again with Came From Nowhere, but Ascot honours belonged to Ben Clarke and Ooh Betty, who won the Class 1 Mares’ Hurdle under Ben Jones.
She is a tenacious mare and was given a superb ride by the in-form Jones.
He was quick to credit Clarke for sticking by him during a quieter spell earlier in his career, a period that now feels firmly behind him.
At Haydock, the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White team landed a spectacular gamble, with Imperial Saint shortening from 33/1 to 7/2 before taking the Peter Marsh Chase under Callum Pritchard.
Another likeable jockey and accomplished horseman, Pritchard has worked his way up through hunting, point-to-pointing and sheer hard graft.
Moving on to Sunday, and with column inches running out, I'll go straight to Protektorat.
At the age of 11, he captured the Fleur de Lys Chase for Harry Skelton, who later admitted he was the hardest horse he had ever had to ride.
Watch the race and you will understand why.
It was a privilege to witness and Team Skelton now hold a commanding lead in the trainers’ championship.
Only Willie Mullins appears to have the firepower to mount a challenge, and even then it would require a sizeable battalion to close the gap.
Jockeys are at the heart of my piece this week.
While we undoubtedly appreciate and love our equine friends, spare a thought for the men and women in the saddle and the teams and family supporting them at home.
Their lives are intense, volatile and pressured, so if things do not go your way with a horse you have backed, ease off on the criticism – they want to win just as much as you do!
Taunton next race on Tuesday, February 3, full details including 'early bird' discounted tickets are available at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk.
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