Pentland powers to victory in Triumph as race marred by Sir Erec death

He nearly fell at the first. I was then thinking, ‘Nicky Henderson, I’m not sure it is a good idea’, but then the rest was good. The amazing thing is when he won at Plumpton I was very impressed with him. He was so professional racing, and professional jumping.

Skelton repeats County Hurdle win

I told Harry to go out and ride the horse as if he had 10lb in hand, because I’d never had the horse so well, and everything worked out like a dream. I love the County Hurdle and it’s been such an important race for us. I knew he was more than up to that level, and Harry gave him a great ride.

Blackmore making more headlines on Indo

Al Boum Photo delivers Gold-en result for Willie Mullins

I’ve got used to the disappointment of finishing second. I thought Bellshill would take a lot of beating, but Ruby (Walsh) wasn’t happy with him and pulled him up early. To have three of the four runners out of the race before they came to the second-last first time round — I was depending on one. Every time I looked at Paul, his body language told me was very happy and the horse was relaxed. When he came over the last, I just looked at the winning post and thought nothing would come and get him unless he stops or runs out or something like that. I was here when my dad (Paddy Mullins) won with Dawn Run and I didn’t get home for two days. I sort of resigned myself to never winning a Gold Cup. Certain jockeys may never win the feature race of their lives, like the Grand National or the Champion Hurdle. I thought maybe I’m not going to be lucky.

Croco springs 66/1 shock in Grand Annual

I’m absolutely delighted. There’s a lot of work gone into him. He had a year off the previous year. We brought him back after a long lay-off to run at Worcester. He ran very well. We just gave him the winter off and brought him back after Christmas and he loves it round here. He’s been third and fifth and the one time I really did fancy him he fell at the water, which was unlike him. He’s made up for it today. It’s fantastic.

De Boinville and Mullins claim Cheltenham top honours