Mullins set to try for a famous five

"Tryphaena went up 42lb for those wins," says Mullins, by way of explaining the New-market campaign. "She's become very hard to place in Ireland and the Cesarewitch has been on the agenda for a good while. There's good prize-money and the two and a quarter miles will suit, and she's won on both sorts of ground. If we get her over in good order and she has a clear passage in the race she should go well."

Tryphaena has been grappling for ante-post favouritism with another Irish runner, Barba Papa, and with Sinndar's win in the Arc fresh in the memory, triumph for either would cap a phenomenal year for the Irish after the exploits of Istabraq, Papillon, Giant's Causeway, Hemingway and Minardi. "It would be nice to think we could add a bit to it," says Mullins, who has a refreshing willingness to discuss matters openly, not a trait afforded to all trainers prior to big races.

Perhaps he has had more practice. As keeper of the flame that is Florida Pearl, Mullins has carried the prayers of Irish racing fans for the best part of two years.

Gold Cup third in 1999 and runner-up this year have not quenched expectations, yet the big horse is still only eight and he has a memorable line from his trainer waiting to be recalled come March.

"There's been talk of Florida Pearl running in three Gold Cups from 1999 on," Mullins said in 1998. "If he's good enough to win one, it'll do me." This season will mark attempt number three and Mullins has said before that to win the Gold Cup his horse does not need to be anywhere near as good as the immaculate Dawn Run, a once-in-a-lifetime horse trained by his dad.

The Mullins legacy as racehorse trainers stretches back four generations and, with seven of that name holding licences in Britain and Ireland, the highest profile of the band has taken on the shield of their defender as chairman of the Association of Irish Racehorse Trainers.

It is a badge that has thrust its holder into a controversy every bit as bitter and pivotal as that in Britain over the funding of the sport.

A government-led merger of all the organisations in Irish racing would double its income, and not surprisingly Mullins is pressing to obliterate dissenting voices. "It would be a huge boost for racing in Ireland and I'm at a loss to know why our Turf Club doesn't appear to be making much progress towards it. The fact we could double our income makes it more unbelievable." Merger talk will be put to one side on Saturday, Champions Day, when Mullins hopes to have Frannie Norton in the saddle, the final piece in his carefully constructed jigsaw.

? Tony Smurthwaite is a writer for the Racing Post.