Why Willie Mullins, not Faugheen, was the real star of Leopardstown

It was not Rachael Blackmore. Yes, she was superb on Saturday, preserving Honeysuckle's unbeaten record in an enthralling Irish Champion Hurdle, despite a lethargic leap at the last, and showing her great strength in the saddle on Notebook in the Arkle Novice Chase. She has now won eight Grade 1 races in less than 11 months, but it was not her.

It was not Delta Work. The steely seven-year-old announced himself as a genuine Gold Cup contender with a typically tough display in the Irish Gold Cup and handed Gordon Elliott his first win in the race, but it was not him.

It was not Lorcan Wyer. The clerk of the course at Leopardstown did what he was instructed to do. He kept the word 'good' out of the going description on both days and produced what many riders described as beautiful ground. Even Eddie O'Leary complimented him on Sunday, but it was not him.