FOR many, the use of the term domination seems to be associated with something bad. Mention the word in connection with racing and it gets people’s hackles up. For this opening I am going to use a different word.

Willie Mullins’ influence on Irish National Hunt racing has put him in a position of great strength, and with is has come incomparable success. No need for me to elucidate on those successes, apart from saying that the Punchestown Festival continued his relentless pursuit of excellence, and delivered another bag full of Grade 1 prizes. In most cases Mullins was winning races for the umpteenth time.