IF it could be said that Willie Mullins has been going through a quieter-than-usual spell to this point in the National Hunt season, it tells you a lot about what business as usual looks like.

He’s still operating at a 23% strike rate in Ireland, where he has sent out 138 winners so far (206 his entire season’s work last term) and he won just the five Grade 1 races from a possible eight at the Dublin Racing Festival, including the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup with Fact To File. His pre-DRF takings also included a Morgiana Hurdle, Tingle Creek, Leopardstown December Hurdle, Faugheen Novice Chase, Kauto Star Novices’ Chase and a Kerry National.