[8] Despite the race being only his fifth start, he ran with credit chasing home Willie Wumpkins (ironically ridden by Jim Wilson who would become Little Owl's regular jockey) who was six years his senior.

[10] While he did not race outside of handicap company, Little Owl's progression was such that he wound up being rated that season's leading staying hurdler by Timeform - ahead of Stayers' Hurdle winner, Lighter.

[13] He was less convincing in his jumping a fortnight later in the West of Scotland Pattern Novices' Chase at Ayr where he beat Irish raider Romany Count by half a length although to his credit, he was giving away 10lb over a trip short of his optimum.

With a perfect record over fences, Little Owl went into the Sun Alliance Chase as a well fancied second favourite behind Edward O'Grady's 1978 Stayers' Hurdle winner Flame Gun.

[20] One week later, he contested the Tote Double Chase at Cheltenham and with Henry Kissinger, who had hitherto won all four completed starts, his only realistic opponent on paper, Little Owl was sent off 8/11 favourite.

[22] In the event, Wayward Lad fell four from home leaving Little Owl to win by twelve lengths from Fairy King - a winner of two decent handicaps at Ascot and Cheltenham who was in receipt of 10lb.

Other notable runners included Royal Bond (Premier Chase), 1978 victor Midnight Court, top handicapper Diamond Edge and leading hunter chaser Spartan Missile.

Night Nurse increased the tempo and on jumping the final ditch six out, led ahead of Little Owl, Diamond Edge, Silver Buck and Spartan Missile while Royal Bond, who wasn't far behind, made a terrible blunder which put him out of contention.

[28] Having only his ninth start over fences at the young age of seven, Little Owl's display of sound jumping and plentiful class had writers mentioning Peter Easterby's charge in the same breath as Pendil and Captain Christy.

Like others at Peter Easterby's Habton Grange stables, Little Owl was affected by a virus infection and his comeback was delayed until New Year's Eve for a two and a half mile handicap chase at Cheltenham.

[32] Questions were raised after large sums were placed on forecasts involving the other two runners Venture To Cognac, returning after a thirteen-month absence, and Great Dean, a 66/1 shot who'd failed to complete his previous two starts.

Little Owl returned to the track ten months later in the aptly named "Last Chance Chase", a minor conditions event at Nottingham, where he won in a canter.

[37] Nevertheless, these two successes rekindled faith in Little Owl as he was sent off as 5/2 second favourite for the King George VI chase splitting Silver Buck and Wayward Lad in the betting.

Giving upwards of 10lbs away to the likes of Venture To Cognac, Lesley Ann and Ashley House (two handicap wins in past month), he wasn't disgraced in being beaten by less than ten lengths although he did fail to see out the race finishing fourth.

[39] He was out a fortnight later for the Gainsborough Chase at Sandown where he once again failed to see out the race, finishing over twenty lengths behind Observe (who went on to win that season's Cathcart Challenge Cup) and the ten year old Royal Judgement.

His final start of the season came in the Anthony Mildmay, Peter Cazalet Memorial Chase where following a first fence unseat, he tore ligaments and muscles in his hind quarters and sustained a suspected broken pelvis after galloping loose.