The Gold Cup is one of the very few major jumps races to have eluded Mullins so far, but Ireland's champion trainer is set to make arguably his strongest assault yet on the blue riband.

Willie Mullins is responsible for three of the top four in the market.

Vautour restored his reputation with a performance in yesterday’s JLT Novices’ Chase which thrilled the 57,000-plus crowd present on day three of the Cheltenham Festival and even took away the breath of his connections.

Owner Rich Ricci believes Vautour may have been underestimated ahead of today’s JLT Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

Willie Mullins singled out JLT Novices’ Chase hopeful Vautour for special praise after a post-racing workout after racing at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The Irish have a special connection with the second week of March thanks in no small part to one unique racecourse in the Cotswalds.