AT the time of going to press, Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins have been responsible for the winners of 339 races in Ireland during the current National Hunt season. In terms of races won, this is just one less than the next 14 trainers on the list combined, all of whom have trained 11 winners of more.

Outside of the top two men, a total of 20 trainers have won 10 or more races, while a total of 44 trainers this season have had six or more winners. There are many ways to interpret statistics, but these numbers alone demonstrate how hard it is to win races here.