Willie Mullins has had some great jockeys but surely Gold Cup king Paul Townend is the best of the lot

Willie Mullins has had some great jockeys partner his horses in his outstanding career as a trainer. From Richard Dunwoody to Ruby Walsh and now Paul Townend, it’s a pantheon of greats, but it’s now time to start asking the question of whether Townend is the best of the lot.

Walsh is racing royalty, but Townend will surely surpass his total of 59 career Cheltenham Festival winners, provided he stays fit and well, and he already has more than double the number of Gold Cups. Walsh won only two, both on Kauto Star; Townend is already at five.

His victory on Gaelic Warrior took him past Pat Taaffe to be the winningmost Gold Cup jockey of all time and he's the greatest jockey in the race’s history, no doubt. His five wins have come on three different horses and he’s the man for the biggest day. Special jockeys do special things in special races.