SELDOM, if ever, has the postscript to the action on the track at the Cheltenham Festival garnered fewer column inches or prompted shorter periods of reflection than was the case this year.

The exploits of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, Al Boum Photo becoming the first Irish horse since L’Escargot to win consecutive Gold Cups, Envoi Allen’s latest affirmation of his stellar status, another top-flight victory for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore, and Eugene O’Sullivan winning a Foxhunter a remarkable 29 years after Lovely Citizen became one of just two Irish successes at the meeting.