When two tribes go to war: Elliott and Mullins square off on Easter Sunday

A big day in the race for the Irish trainers' crown as title holder Willie Mullins has 26 runners at the meetings at Fairyhouse and Cork, while big rival Gordon Elliott - odds-on to win it - fields 22.

The Grade 1 feature at Fairyhouse, the Ryanair Gold Cup, is all about them with Mullins having five of the nine runners and Elliott the other four, including JLT Novices' Chase heroine Shattered Love, who is favourite.

Sunday cards

Mullins also has a smart mare to rely on in the other Grade 1 on the card as Laurina, who looked a million dollars at the Cheltenham Festival, lines up in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final.

There is also decent jumping in Britain at Plumpton and Ffos Las, which is due to stage the 3m4f Siddell Environmental Services West Wales National Handicap Chase on testing ground, while Southwell hosts an all-weather Flat fixture.

Going report

Fairyhouse (first race at: 1.50)
Soft to heavy, heavy in places

Cork (2.00)
Soft to heavy

Southwell (2.05)
Standard

Plumpton (2.15)
Heavy, soft in places (GoingStick: 4.9 Hurdle, 5.0 Chase on Friday at 07:30). Rail movements: R1 & 7 -6y, R2 & 3 +54y, R4 & 5 +9y, R6 +81y

Ffos Las (2.25)
Heavy. Rail movements: R1, 3, 4 & 6 +42y, R2 +28y, R5 +56y

Market movers

2.25 Ffos Las - Hands Of Stone 11-2 (from 13-2)

4.05 Cork - Lareena 11-4 (from 7-2)

4.45 Southwell - Tellovoi 7-2 (from 4)

5.45 Cork - Stay Humble 8-13 (from 4-6)

What to back

Paul Kealy steps into the Pricewise chair, while Justin O'Hanlon has the best bets for the Irish cards.

Tips box can be found here and all the need-to-know stats are in Signposts.

What to read

All the Dubai coverage can be found here, while David Jennings chatted to Jack Kennedy in the RPSunday Big Read.

There is also the chance to see how Dave Crosse spends a typical day, while Tom Lacey is the subject of our Q&A.

The latest of Musselburgh's future is also available.

What to watch

There are loads of goodies from the RPTV team . . .

Get inside Alan King's mind ...

and we've a Ryanair Gold Cup preview ...

The best of Racing Post Sport

Chelsea v Tottenham is the big Premier League game, but there is also expert advice on Arsenal v Stoke and the pick of the bets for the Spanish action.

Final thought

Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins seem to be throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the Irish trainers' title. Some don't care too much for their domination, but what can't be disputed is how lucky the sport is to have two extremely talented operators. May the best man win.

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