Irish title contenders: Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead

The Irish trainers’ title has been a Willie Mullins monopoly since Noel Meade last won it in 2006-07 and the perennial champion almost broke through the €5.5 million barrier in a dominant 2020-21 season.

His tally put him more than €2m clear of Gordon Elliott when you amalgamate the runner-up’s total with Denise Foster’s, who took over the reins last March when Elliott was suspended from racing for six months.

Elliott’s name is back on the licence at Cullentra House this campaign and he will be looking to close the gap on Mullins, who has beaten him into second place for the last nine seasons.