Fresh from exploring hitherto unvisited British racecourses in pursuit of his first British Trainers’ Championship, Willie Mullins is back on home turf for the Irish National Hunt Festival: 5 days of entertaining racing that caters for every standard of horse, and every level of the sport.

Middle distance candidate Daddy Long Legs joined Closutton’s ranks last November, after running a short head second in a St Cloud maiden. His unorthodox route since is classic Mullins. Winner of a Thurles maiden hurdle in late November, he was pitched into Grade I company at Leopardstown over Christmas where favouritism wasn’t enough to stir him to the effort required to gallop through the heavy midwinter ground. He was in good company. Among others also pulled up that day was stable companion Absurde, subsequent winner of the County Hurdle.

On then to the Dublin Racing Festival in early February where a 27l 6th to Ballyburn and Slade Steel was no insult, at which point, a visit to the British mainland to take in a modest novice event at Ludlow became part of the necessary effort to maintain the advantage in the race for the Championship. Daddy Long legs was never out of a canter to justify his 1/7 odds and more or less fund the boat journey through the prize money.

Fresh from that confidence-building effort, the Donnelly – owned gelding reappeared in yesterday’s listed Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle, still over the minimum trip, and asserted from 2 out, leading into the straight to finish 5l ahead of his nearest pursuer. this is still a horse on the upgrade; don’t be surprised to see him in some valuable handicaps next season, or earlier if Galway beckons.

Who knows, if Mullins is serious about defending his Trainers’ crown, then Daddy Long Legs could be weaving a spider’s web over races like the Greatwood in the autumn, but first, he’s thought likely to have a tilt at some of the big handicaps on the flat.