'There wouldn't be a day I don't think about those boys and their families'

It is remarkable how a horse winning a race, even a relatively minor one, can prompt such extreme reactions from the successful connections.

When Abuffalosoldier repelled the King's Steal A March in a handicap hurdle at Newbury three weeks ago, his owners – Mahler and the Wailers – carried on as if they were about to carry off the World Cup, Grand National and Christmas Number 1 rolled into one.

For the five-year-old's trainer Warren Greatrex, there were cheers but also tears. He was also in buoyant mood but became choked with emotion when debriefing the media.