'We go there to win' - no escaping that man Mullins as jumps maestro warms up for Ascot with 'incredible' Absurde at York

Absurde indeed. How fitting that a horse whose name is French for ridiculous should turn out on this big day and embody the scarcely believable Willie Mullins phenomenon.

Mullins is a trainer of countless astonishing achievements, a master of his trade who had a preposterous five of the first seven home in the Grand National this spring.

Nick Rockett (Patrick Mullins) wins the Grand National, with four stablemates also in the first sevenCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

That launched a bid to achieve the impossible once again and he nailed it as he went on to beat the British on their own turf, steamrolling Dan Skelton to land a second straight title — no Irish yard had won it for 70 years before he did in 2024.