QUALITY is far more important than quantity. This is an adage well known to most people, but sometimes we question its logic or authenticity. Some observers will do so today when they look at the entries for the four graded National Hunt races being run in Ireland.

A total of 21 horses are due to line up for this quartet of races, none of which carries a winners’ purse of less than €25,000. Just short of three-quarters of the runners, 15 in all, come from the yards of Gordon Elliott (7), Willie Mullins (5) and Henry de Bromhead (3). Jessica Harrington has two runners in these races. This leaves just four other trainers with a single entry each.