Pat Rosney can virtually pinpoint the day that Swift Hoffman’s career changed course.

One of last year’s top pups who was failing to live up to his potential, Hoffman had been beaten in six of his seven previous outings when Pat detected a shoulder injury in early February. In his column on this website, Pat promised the world a different Hoffman going forward.

Since then, the rangey brindle has only been beaten three times. His colours were lowered by half a length in the first round of the Scottish Derby. He was wiped out in first bend carnage in the English Derby second round, and was turned over in a Monmore open.

Pat says: “I never thought he was happy at Wimbledon, mainly because of the starting traps and narrowness of the track. As I think owner Paul Scott will concede, I really didn’t want to run him at Monmore when he was beaten, because he wasn’t right.

“Beyond that he has done everything that we have asked of him. After we treated the injury, he was suddenly trialling quicker than Newinn Yolo and we haven’t looked back. He is a lovely greyhound but he is a worrier. If he was a footballer, he would be the one that the manager would have to give a hug and tell him how good he is.

“I was delighted with the run in the final and it was interesting that he was half a second faster than Roxholme Barkley on final night, but there was only seven spots between them in the semis when the outside of the track wasn’t running as fast.

“We are still not sure where we go from here. The dog has come out of the Gold Cup absolutely bouncing, he could run again tonight. I wish the Eclipse started in a couple of weeks time. As it is, we will probably go for the All England Cup and start trialling him there after a couple of weeks off.

“Personally I would love to see him over the longer distance because I am convinced he would stay. But I would also worry whether it would affect his stud potential. I know Paul would love a crack at the St.Leger but I am a bit more cautious. For a start, it is back at Wimbledon, and it is a very grueling competition.”