It has been a turbulent week in Irish racing circles and, in the days dominated by the controversial process involved in the reappointment of Horse Racing Ireland CEO Brian Kavanagh, the news that two of the superpowers of National Hunt racing in Ireland have parted ways has kept the sport in the headlines.

Normal service resumed for Willie Mullins who, after one winner but many reverses on day one, bounced back with a 194-1 treble, which included two Grade One successes, on the second day of the Punchestown festival.

Owner Graham Wylie is looking forward to seeing Nichols Canyon step back up in trip in next month’s Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle.

Solar Impulse bounced back to form when springing a 28-1 surprise in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.

Alan Shearer is determined to enjoy his day as an owner regardless of how Augusta Kate gets on in today’s Weatherbys Champion Bumper Cheltenhamat the Cheltenham Festival.

Although plenty of punters who got their fingers burnt on Blazer in last weekend’s Betfair Hurdle, at Newbury, it is far too soon to write off the beaten favourite.

Newcastle-based businessman Graham Wylie, and his wife Andrea, are living the dream and surely grateful for the day they decided to have horses in training with Willie Mullins.

It’s a big weekend for the Graham Wylie novices, with Bellshill and Yorkhill both in action in Grade One company, and Yorkhill plays his hand first, in this afternoon’s Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.

Bryan Cooper admitted he could be on the wrong horse in the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Gold Cup at Punchestown today having picked Road To Riches over Don Cossack.

He may be more used to the delights of Royal Ascot but trainer Dermot Weld has always enjoyed the challenge of Cheltenham and despite only training a handful of hurdlers – and all of those double up on the Flat – the man who has broken boundaries worldwide is proving a dab hand at getting one right for March.

Willie Mullins admits Nichols Canyon puts him in mind of stable star Hurricane Fly as he bids to give the trainer a fourth Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle win in the last 10 years at Cheltenham today.

Rich Ricci is slightly favouring the chances of Pylonthepressure as he prepares to unleash a powerful team of four runners in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival today.

Boston Bob and On His Own are both in line to represent Willie Mullins in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown as the champion trainer bids to win one of the Festive period’s biggest prizes for the first time.

Willie Mullins appears to hold most of the aces in the Navan Novice Hurdle on Sunday, with Shaneshill, Outlander, Killultagh Vic and Killer Crow among the 12 entries.

Felix Yonger got up right on the line to deny Mallowney in the feature Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase as he headlined a treble for trainer Willie Mullins at Cork yesterday.

Horses like Sizing Europe certainly don’t come around too often and when the veteran performed poorly at Clonmel recently his trainer, Henry de Bromhead, must have wondered, at least momentarily, if he might ever be lucky enough to come across one like him again.

Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up On His Own and his Aintree and Punchestown-winning stable companion Boston Bob are among 12 horses confirmed for Saturday’s JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Four-year-old Indian Icon, winner of his maiden hurdle in Killarney last month, captured the featured Carmel Fay Memorial Handicap Hurdle in Kilbeggan last night under a well-judged ride by Mark Enright.

It seems fitting that the first officially recorded Grand National winner way back in 1839 was called Lottery.

Seabass has been withdrawn from the Crabbie’s Grand National after suffering a serious injury at Down Royal on Monday.

Trainer Tony Martin believes the drying conditions will play to the strengths of Benefficient in today’s Ryanair Chase (2.40) at Cheltenham.

Bryan Cooper, only in his third month as first jockey to Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, faces a four to six month spell on the sidelines, after breaking his leg at Cheltenham yesterday.

Willie Mullins bagged a four-timer at Fairyhouse on Saturday and in the process threw punters a potential curveball as he suggested On His Own could have improved enough to swerve the Crabbie’s Grand National and go to Punchestown after landing the At The Races Bobbyjo Chase.

Willie Mullins further strengthened his formidable hand for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham next month as Killultagh Vic produced a scintillating display at Naas yesterday.

Willie Mullins has sounded a cautious note about a potential Stan James Champion Hurdle bid for the exciting Un De Sceaux.

Philip Fenton has not ruled out the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham for Last Instalment, who completed his comeback with a tremendous victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The Tullow Tank and Last Instalment impressed trainer Philip Fenton in a workout yesterday ahead of Sunday’s top-class fixture at Leopardstown.

Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh will be reunited when Tidal Bay tackles the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

A total of 115 entries, the highest since 2009, have been attracted to the first £1m Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree on April 5.

A total of 115 entries, the highest since 2009, have been attracted to the first £1m (€1.2m) Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree on April 5.

A press-room colleague texted last weekend to say that Willie Mullins, if his horses remain fit and healthy, will win 15 races at the Cheltenham festival.

Willie Mullins feels testing conditions could give Back In Focus the edge over stable companion Boston Bob in tomorrow's Growise Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.