NOEL Meade is one of Ireland’s best trainers. He has shown that in spite of being champion National Hunt trainer here on eight occasions in nine years, only interrupted by a man called Willie Mullins, he has an admirable record too on the flat. By the way, Mullins succeeded Noel after his last championship win in 2006/7 and has never relinquished the title since.

Noel started training in 1970 with one horse, Tu Va after whom he named his stables, owned with his great friend, Mick Condra. Tu Va was bought at Goffs in Ballsbridge for 100gns from Buster Harty. That was the start of a career that has now spanned more than five and a half decades and countless winners. Meade has enjoyed Group 1 success on the flat with Helvic Dream in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, and he was a €12,000 purchase.