AS the National Hunt season in Ireland gets into full swing it is also demonstrating the huge gap that exists between the power of the bigger yards and the challenges for survival faced by the medium to smaller stables.

At this time last year the current top three trainers, Gordon Elliott, Willie Mulllins and Henry de Bromhead, were also the top trio, though the order was different. Seismic changes in ownership profiles in each yard have happened since, and it is likely this trio will continue to add substantially to their winnings.