'I want to make this last for as long as I can because I love it'

Seven-year-old Isabelle is sitting on his knee. Elsa, five and a half (and don't you dare forget the half!), is telling him how brilliant she is at ballet. Gemma is only two but can do a repetitive rendition of 'no more monkeys jumping on the bed' while jangling car keys continuously. Gillian is making chicken rogan josh for dinner.

Forgive the detail. It's just that the above scene is why Ruby Walsh might outstay AP McCoy in the saddle.

It’s Tuesday in the Walsh household just outside Kilcullen in County Kildare. This day four years ago Walsh was winning a beginners' chase at Exeter on Rebel Rebellion and finishing second on Rocky Creek in another. He was at Worcester the following day to win on Wilton Milan and Fox Run. It was Thurles on Thursday to ride Pique Sous in a maiden hurdle, back over to Fakenham on Friday and then on to Chepstow on Saturday. Rigorous. Relentless. Ridiculous.