Martin Pipe, much remembered for the vast quantity of winners he produced, trained an unprecedented five winners at the 1997 Cheltenham Festival. It took 12 years for Paul Nicholls to go one better, since then Elliott and Mullins managed eight. Two years ago Mullins scored a perfect ten.
Amazingly he is likely to outdo that this time around, surely the pinnacle of this genius' career.
Year-on-year, owners are directing their investments into a narrower pool of trainers, and why would they not? Look at who are having all the big winners?
Nicky Henderson's week, however, shows the risk of putting all your horses into one basket.
A man of his talent and experience aiming to have his horses in pristine health and prime fitness for the highlight of the year, instead sees five of his six runners on Day 1 pull up. Gut-wrenching for Henderson, a beloved character, in the evening hours of a long and vaunted career.
Weeks back he must have been salivating, the anticipation of Constitution Hill retaining his Champion Hurdle status, Jonbon in the Champion Chase avenging last year's defeat to El Fabiolo and seeing if Shiskin could make his class count when extending to the Gold Cup trip. Three major fancies in the three biggest races, not to mention plenty other eye-catching entries.
His report that "It's impossible to identify any reason for all the disappointments... yesterday's runners were scoped clean post race" shows the fragility and sensitivity of this magnificent, powerful beast.
That a sub-clinical illness can reduce them to being completely uncompetitive, seeing that the mighty are not immune, we may be at a stage of peak trainer concentration.
Owners who find their entire string missing the spring may well want to diversify, spread to a broader range of handlers. As racing ponders what it can do to support the small business, nature may instead take up the mantle. Perhaps a silver lining for the sport, taken from a cloud hanging low over Seven Barrows.
Robcour struck first on Tuesday with a taking performance from Slade Steel in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Brian Acheson is the man behind the pink, white and black colours which run under the amalgamated names of his children Robert and Courtney.
Those colours covering Jack Kennedy are short odds to be carried to victory in the featured Stayers' Hurdle by Teahupoo. Last year's third is only a seven year old; this is a dour event where another year on one's side can help.
His only run this year was beating Impaire Et Passe in the Hatton's Grace. Acheson has taken to wrestling quotes, we've recently heard extracts from the passages of Rick Flair and The Rock. Let's hear what he has to say after this Royal Rumble.
There is an impressive list of contenders: Grand National winner Noble Yeats, Ballymore winner Sir Gerhard, who has reverted after a lacklustre chasing career, Long Walk Hurdle winner Crambo and three previous winners of this event; Sire Du Berlais, Flooring Porter and Paisley Park.
Keith Donoghue will have worn those silks 40 minutes earlier in the Ryanair, the middle distance chase which may in time be seen as a neutral trip and become the big race of the week.
This will be its 12th running and despite having a serious roll of honour, it has not yet captured the imagination or overcome tradition. Keith will be on Fil D'or, a recent acquisition for Acheson, picked up at the Caldwell Construction dispersal.
Jack Kennedy has sided with Conflated, with which I am a little surprised as he has had two hard races at Leopardstown, not the ideal prep but they know more than I. Former Elliott member Envoi Allen will give them most to do. Since winning last year, this race will have been the main aim for the rest of his career.
Paul Townend was sublime with his handling of Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle, his racing style suits his name, fought hard on the way to post and in the early stages.
Paul, quiet and gentle, lulled his partner to a state of flow. When Kennedy and Found A Fifty pressed on down the hill, Paul knew the time was not yet, left his rival go by and take his spot, then waited once more till the time was nigh, excellence.
Facile Vega in the Turners is a similar ally. Talented but burns too bright. On two occasions last year they got it wrong and should that happen once more, Ginny's Destiny can avail. Not so talented but so much more straightforward.
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