The 2024 Dublin Racing Festival proved to be a happy hunting ground for Danny Mullins.
This, after a 535-1 treble on the opening day, as Dancing City (16-1) Kargese (7-2) and Il Etait Temps (6-1) obliged under his steering.
A year on and we're days out from this year's gathering at the Foxrock venue and Mullins is again hoping to leave his mark, while still in many respects pinching himself as to what unfolded on 3 February last year.
"It was a black swan event for the three of them to come through but I'll be up there giving it a shot," the 32-year-old said, when speaking on 2fm's Game On.
"It's nice going into the big meetings with confidence up (this after winning on Sainte Tartare - his only ride at Limerick on Tuesday). I'm riding well and the horse and stables are going well. Fingers crossed I can make it happen at the weekend.
"You go into these big meetings, hoping to get one on the board. Last year I was 50 yards from the line and I managed to get to the front on Il Etait Temps. I started to smile and wondered was it a dream. Am I going to wake up? What a day!"
And while Mullins won't know his book of rides for this weekend until Thursday and Friday, he is hoping to get the nod to partner Joseph O'Brien's Solness, a winner of the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase on Sunday.
There is a chance that JJ Slevin could be claimed on El Fabiolo, with Mullins then in the frame to partner Solness.
"With JJ having a new retainer, there is a possibility," he added.
"I'd love to ride him; I've ridden him a few times. He was a good winner at Christmas (Paddy's Rewards Club Chase) and JJ gave him a clever ride that day. I'd be putting my name in the hat to be aboard on Sunday."
Of course, Gaelic Warrior, trained by Mullins' uncle, Willie, will be looking to reverse placings from the Paddy's Rewards Chase, with nephew Danny feeling the expected underfoot conditions could now favour the 2024 Cheltenham Arkle winner.
"He won an Arkle on heavy ground. There's a lot of rain about at the moment and that will bring him on a lot more. The Willie Mullins horses weren't firing at Christmas but on recent form it's doubles-trebles winners everywhere."
Looking elsewhere across the weekend's action, Mullins cast an eye over the Goffs Irish Arkle and the chances of Majborough, the 2024 Triumph Hurdle winner, trained by his uncle.
"He has looked very good in what he has done so far. He was very impressive in the way he ran in his first run back at Fairyhouse. He didn't run at Naas before Christmas so they've minded him for this day. He's only a young horse with huge potential. Ile Atlantique is a little bit older and seems to have improved over fences but Majborough is the on that sparkles in your eye."
Could Majborough put it up to Nicky Henderson's Sir Gino at Prestbury Park?
"I think Majborough could," was Mullins' confident prediction.
"The form from last year goes on a line through Kargese who was second to Majborough (in the Triumph) and then second to Sir Gino at Aintree. That matches them up quite well and both have adapted to going over fences quite well. Hopefully Irish eyes will be smiling on Majborough come March."
Galopin Des Champs winning the Savills Chase
As for the feature event on day one, the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, it's a case of a track specialist again being too good. Galopin Des Champs is going for a hat-trick of wins, with stablemate Fact To File looking to improve on the effort he put in in chasing home the dual Gold Cup winner in the Savills Chase on 28 December.
"Can Fact To File turn it around? I don't think he can turn it around. Galopin Des Champs is the King of Leopardstown at the moment. Fact To File done plenty wrong in Leopardstown the last day when finishing second. He was a bit keen and made a few mistakes at the downhill fences.
"That match practice will definitely have him sharpened up for the Gold Cup in Cheltenham. Maybe he'll frighten Galopin a bit more this time but for me it's Galopin's race to lose, as he seems to be untouchable around Leopardstown.
"You hope Fact To File will go a little bit more forward and that he'll settle early. You could take Galopin on early but you don't want to cut your own throat."
And so to the Irish Champion Hurdle. Lossiemouth and State Man are the star attractions here. So, which of the WP Mullins pair will oblige?
"It's a very tricky race. State Man was so far off his best behind Brighterdaysahead (in the Neville Hotels Hurdle) but he is the reigning champion hurdler. Lossiemouth lacked a bit of spark behind Constitution Hill at Kempton, where Constitution Hill did not show his brilliant best and he wasn't that far clear when making a mistake the last day. I'd be swinging towards State Man who has shown more spark at home."
Watch the Dublin Racing Festival on Saturday from 1pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player and on Sunday from 1pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
