Dublin Racing Festival: Willie Mullins to dominate but city now hosts an outstanding racing festival

The Dublin Racing Festival was a brave bet, squashing three big days with long histories into just one weekend. We can look forward to its eighth running knowing that gamble has paid off handsomely.

These two days are now inscribed as a main event in the Irish racing calendar. This year's cast is arguably the most exciting yet.

Cheltenham is still the pinnacle of the jumping game. A spectacular showcase where the best of the Irish see how they shape up to the home team... very well of late, it would appear.

Like butter over too much bread, four days can see Cheltenham spread a little thin. This weekend hosts the two best days in all of National Hunt racing, fact. The Irish Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle are the headliners of eight Grade One events. British fans are now coming over in numbers, acknowledging what is on show.

The British horses aren't adding much to the mix, a handful with small chances. The only man who could have made any difference to the quality on show was Nicky Henderson, and he normally reserves any Irish trips for Punchestown.

I'm sure he thinks Sir Gino and Jonbon will have enough raiders to look at in March, not to mind taking them on away from home. It would have been nice to see Constitution Hill in the Irish Champion Hurdle though, a superstar for sure, but you'd like him to come and lay it on the line. An uncompetitive hack around Cheltenham at 1-12 last week will not do much for his legacy.

Last year, Willie Mullins ate all the pies, devouring every one of the eight top-level contests. The epitome of class, an articulate, gentle-mannered genius. But don't be fooled, only hungry, greedy men devour all the pies.

The 68-year-old's appetite for success is insatiable. Willie has achieved more than anyone