“IT seems like a fashion at the minute.” Ruby Walsh is grinning, as conversation turns (admittedly not by accident) to the spate of retirements in recent months, from A.P. McCoy through to Andy McNamara, Robert ‘Choc’ Thornton and his Closutton colleague, David Casey.

He looks lean and fit, healthy and strong. As we chat in his kitchen on Monday night, he has 36 winners recorded in Ireland already, having a couple of Grade 3s at Tipperary the previous day. He has also won an Australian Grand National. He is at the peak of his powers, propelled by the prospect of a treasure trove of horses to propel to further glory in the coming years.