Thriving title rivals, a downbeat December and less prolific in Grade 1s - the numbers behind Willie Mullins' season so far

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Willie Mullins has long carried an aura that borders on the mythical. For 18 consecutive years, he has been crowned Ireland's champion jumps trainer and, for good measure, has bagged the British version in the past two seasons, cementing a reputation of near invincibility.

Yet this season, cracks are appearing in that seemingly unshakeable armour. Gordon Elliott has carved out his largest-ever lead in the Irish trainers' title race at this stage and, while he insisted last week he had "no chance" of a first title, there have been whispers that Mullins' Closutton team might not be firing on quite as many cylinders as their extraordinary norm. 

However, when the numbers are laid bare, is this more perception than reality?