Mullins an irresistible force but resurgent Elliott remains an immovable object

If ever you needed an illustration of where the power lies in the world of jump racing right now, it was writ large across the opening salvo of the 2022 Dublin Racing Festival.

Willie Mullins farmed the first three Grade 1s on a pulsating Leopardstown card, and then signed off with the single most impressive performance when Facile Vega obliterated some high-class bumper rivals. Business as usual, you might think, but then you look at the SPs of those Grade 1s and are reminded that expectations were slightly less emphatic ahead of the event.

Gordon Elliott saddled the favourite in each but ended up with a bloodied nose after each race. Minella Cocooner fulfilled the archetypal role of an underestimated Mullins second string, Vauban rained on Fil Dor’s parade and then Blue Lord exacted a mite of retribution for the impudence of punters sending Riviere D’Etel off favourite with a glancing blow after the final fence. You’d think we’d learn.