BEST ride of the Christmas festivals? There were lots of contenders. Keith Donoghue’s ride on Hardline at Limerick was one, Davy Russell’s ride on Delta Work at Leopardstown was another, Mark Walsh’s ride on Simply Ned was another. But David Mullins might just have shaded it for his ride on Kemboy in the Savills Chase.

Fully cognisant of the sedate early pace, Mullins allowed his horse stride to the front with a circuit to race. It was a brave move, especially given that it was a move that was apparently contrary to pre-race instructions. When you do that, when you go against instructions, you are on a hiding to nothing. If you get beaten in that instance, the argument can easily be made that it was the tactics were incorrect. If you follow instructions and get beaten, you were only following instructions.