WHAT worlds are there left to conquer for Willie Mullins, or indeed Paul Townend?

The champion jumps trainer and jockey have been stars in racing for years, but even Paul Townend acknowledged that winning the National is on another level and both men were swamped for autographs and selfies at Tuesday’s homecoming party in Leighlinbridge.

However, our man at Aintree tells us that the most popular racing celebrity at Dublin Airport last Friday evening was in fact Davy Russell. And it’s not because of Tiger Roll.

Davy’s recent run on RTÉ’s Dancing with the Stars has apparently won him more fans that he ever had as a jockey - the poor man can’t get a minute’s peace any more when in public view. And he didn’t even win the thing!

One Irish racing fan on the last flight home from Liverpool was starstruck as he walked down the aisle of the plane, exclaiming: “Howya Ruby! Look, there’s Charlie Swan!”

The same fellow had greatly amused passengers at the boarding gate when he was told by airline staff he would have to pay to bring his suitcase on board. Our hero promptly emptied all his belongings into a black plastic binbag which he was able to squash into an acceptable size.

One passenger who shall remain nameless but is related to the airline’s chief executive, laughed: “There will be a new rule on Monday about that!”