WILLIE Mullins went through a quiet period in beginners’ chases from mid-September to late-November, winning just one such race in that time, likely a planned approach ahead of his winter horses coming out, but the depth and quality of his novice chasers has been evident subsequently; since then, Mullins has had runners in nine beginners’ chases and won eight of them.

The last 10 days or so confirm his strength in the division. Mullins has had 13 different runners across four beginners’ chases, eight of them with published hurdles marks of at least 133, winning all four.