O'Leary's return to Closutton is going to make life so much harder for the rest

Racing fans who have become familiar with Michael O'Leary's ways know by now that he is not averse to an about turn. For all that he speaks in categorical terms, his deeds ultimately tend to be less entrenched.

Three years ago O'Leary said he would no longer invest in young horses as he moved to wind down his Gigginstown House Stud ownership vehicle. He promptly doubled down by stating he should have done so much sooner.

Then he dipped his toe back in the water last spring to support Gordon Elliott, insisting at the time he wasn't "changing policy" and that the horses he bought were "not particularly expensive". Now, it turns out he has once again been shopping at the store sales and elsewhere this summer, with Willie Mullins back on the roster and one of his new recruits the £190,000 acquisition Shanbally Kid.