Ruby Walsh: Mullins may be Galopin to O’Brien and Dreaper dominance levels

If Galopin Des Champs wins, Mullins will be elevated to the level of dominance in the race which Vincent O’Brien and Tom Dreaper enjoyed — and it is where Willie deserves to be.

HUNDRED SMILES: Trainer Willie Mullins is presented with a saddle cloth commemorating his 100 festival winners, on day three of Cheltenham yesterday. Mullins had written himself into history long before this but the final day of the week in which he reached 100 winners could be the best as he is strong in six of the seven races on day four and kicks it off with a mob hand in the Triumph. Pic: Mike Egerton, PA Wire

IT’S nearly all over, but at least Cheltenham keeps the best ’til last. I have started every other day chronologically, but you can’t begin Gold Cup Day on any other race but the blue riband itself.

It’s the centenary year and history is repeating itself. From Arkle in 1964 to Davy Ladd in 1977, Irish-trained horses won 10 of the 14 runnings, but this wheel of change that people can’t ever see turning back did so for a period, with Dawn Run in 1986 and Imperial Call 10 years later the two Irish-trained winners in the subsequent 26 editions.