Mullins and Townend are the kings of Cheltenham once again

Willie Mullins was crowned the leading trainer at the Cheltenham Festival for the 13th time and the eighth year in succession.

The Irishman sends over a veritable army of horses from his base in Closutton, County Carlow, and has dominated the key meeting of the National Hunt season for many years.

Some expected him to possibly loosen his grip on the fixture this year – even if just a little – as his string had not been quite so all-conquering in the lead-up.

But his eight winners showed his horses were clearly primed to peak at the right moment and he had plenty of cause for celebration – including winning the biggest race of the week when Gaelic Warrior took the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

He said: “I hadn’t realised we were leading the standings. It’s fantastic. It’s great to have a winner here never mind be leading trainer for the Festival.

“I’m delighted for the yard. This one means a lot, they all do, but especially for our team this year. I’m so pleased.”

Paul Towend is Mullins’ stable jockey and the two combined to great effect as usual throughout the week, with Townend leading rider at the end of four days with four victories.

What was significantly closer this year was the battle for the Prestbury Cup, which Irish trainers again won – but this only by a margin of two, 15-13.