THIS is one of the most anticipated weeks of racing in the year, and one that has been part of my life since I went to Punchestown as a child. More than half a century later, it still ranks highly.

This year it is missing something, not that it will make a whit of difference to most people going there. There is no battle being waged for any of the main championship titles as we reach the climax of the National Hunt season.

Mathematically things could change, but the odds you would get about this happening would be in large double digits.

Heading to Kilbeggan last night for their opening meeting of the year, Willie Mullins was just a nose short of training the winners of €5 million in Ireland, while his eight wins in England amassed £1.4 million. He won the Gold Cup, had the first three in the Irish Grand National, and he will surely top the 200-winner mark in Ireland. It appears that Willie just keeps getting better.

Gordon Elliott will surpass €4 million in earnings in Ireland (plus £1.3 million in Britain), while Joseph O’Brien and Henry de Bromhead have sporting chances of passing the €2 million mark at home.

With Noel Meade and Jessica Harrington well north of a million each, these six trainers are some way clear of the rest.

Just 40 trainers have won a six-figure sum in Ireland this year, showing how difficult it is to make it pay in the training ranks.

The domination of owners Gigginstown House Stud and JP McManus could not be more clearly seen than in the leading owners’ table. With 155 successes before last night, Michael O’Leary’s racing endeavours have earned a return of €3.7 million, while JP’s 114 wins have netted almost €2.9 million.

The scale at which they operate is best shown by the following numbers – Gigginstown has run 221 different horses under rules in Ireland, while JP has seen 257 individual runners compete. Next best, and well clear of anyone else, are Susannah Ricci and Barry Connell who have each had 35 different horses race in their colours.

While social media commentators bemoan the preponderance of the silks of both of the leading owners in races, the fact is that these men are providing livelihoods to many within the sport, and the financial impact goes far deeper.

Willie Mullins’ success has fuelled the title challenges of Paul Townend among the professionals and Patrick Mullins in the amateur ranks, but these men will not for a minute begrudge the deserved limelight Rachael Blackmore has received throughout the season. Were there a people’s champion title, she would surely have that wrapped up.