Catriona Bissett runs the syndicate and explains: “It’s a lovely group of owners including Nick’s mum Susan Dudgeon and his wife Rose. They are all having such great fun and Fi Skinner, Jacqui Morris and Janet Morris have all ventured into further ownership with Nick since joining.

“We update our shareholders every 10 days including information about what kind of form we think Elvis is in, his exercise, weight, food and race planning. Nick also provides them all with videos and photographs from the gallops. 

“Everyone has found it to be a fun and cost-effective means of ownership and some firm friendships have been made following Elvis around the country.” Elvis Mail, by smart hurdler Great Pretender out of French broodmare Queenly Mail, began the year by finishing third in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in January and signed off with an impressive display in a Class 2 handicap chase at Kelso in March. 

In between those performances he unfortunately unseated regular rider Bruce Lynn at the very first obstacle in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival but The Ladies Who were able to quickly put that disappointment behind them. 

With eight wins on his CV – four over hurdlers and the rest over fences – Elvis has scooped his proud owners over £140,000 in prize money with the promise of more success still to come. That may not be too far away if he heads to Newcastle for his next high-profile assignment.