‘Quevega is probably my best chance’

SHOULD champion trainer Willie Mullins leave Cheltenham empty-handed this week then it is a virtual certainty that Irish punters will be sunk without trace.

Mullins has trained 17 festival winners, he has three to his credit as an amateur rider as well, and has travelled with a powerful team, headed by Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle.

If he’s feeling the pressure then there are no outwards signs and he talks freely and easily, yawning occasionally as if to emphasise just how relaxed he appears to be.