L'AMI Serge rates as a banker in the 32Red Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown this afternoon. The first Grade One of 2015 can go the way of Nicky Henderson's French import, who has looked seriously impressive in two starts to date in Britain.
A maiden in his homeland, he had nevertheless been placed in a couple of valuable events at Auteuil last spring.
He made his debut for the Seven Barrows handler in the Gerry Feilden at Newbury, a race which can often through up a decent performer or two.
Indeed, Rock On Ruby made his comeback in the race before winning going on to win the Champion Hurdle in 2012.
As L'Ami Serge is a novice there is no danger of him taking that route, but he oozed class as Barry Geraghty sat motionless on him.
At the time it was hard to get excited about the form, as he beat the 133-rated Kilcooley, with the unheralded Violet Dancer back in third.
Subsequent events, though, proved it was a better performance than it initially looked as Kilcooley, raised 4lb, won his next race at Haydock by a yawning 23 lengths and is now rated 155 for Charlie Longsdon.
L'Ami Serge himself has shown improved form. Upped in class for the Grade Two Sky Bet Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle at Ascot, he never looked in any danger in beating the Willie Mullins-trained Killutagh Vic, a top-class bumper horse, by seven lengths.
We may have learned more had Paul Nicholls' Emerging Talent stood up at the second-last, but it would be optimistic in thinking he would have made L'Ami Serge work very hard.
Already joint-second favourite with some bookmakers for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March, his price is likely to shorten further with a good performance in a race in which Henderson has a very good record in recent years.
Time may tell Jumps Road faced a very stiff task last time out at Warwick against Top Gamble but he could still be well treated for the 32Redsport.com Handicap Chase.
Top Gamble has looked very impressive over fences since joining Richard Lee, winning both starts, and while Jumps Road never looked like catching him in the straight, he beat the rest comprehensively enough.
He acts with cut in the ground and it still rated some way below his best hurdles rating.