Horse - Clan Des Obeaux
After going four runs and 15 months without a victory, much was been made of whether Clan Des Obeaux was a over the hill heading in to this Spring however he's answered those questions in emphatic fashion in the past month.
Getting back to winning ways with bridle job rout at Aintree last month, he showed that was no fluke in much tougher company in the Punchestown Gold Cup this week.
Sent off as 10/3 second favourite against five other rivals including two time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo, victory never really looked in doubt with the Paul Nicholls trained British raider showing just how tough he is always staying on to hold off the late challenge of the Willie Mullins charge.
A big mention must also go to 80/1 Boodles winner Jeff Kidder too who upset the odds once again with his third victory on the bounce in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle again at big each way odds of 22/1.
Trainer - Willie Mullins
Well well well, what a week for Willie Mullins. From the 40 races ran over the five day festival, he won 19 races in total with a five timer on both Tuesday and Thursday and then trebles on Wednesday, Friday & Saturday amassing over €1.75m in prize money, some week hey.
After a fairly quiet Cheltenham by his standards, he certainly made up for it last week and sets him up nicely for the summer.
Jockey - Patrick Mullins
One of the surprise packages of the week was the form of Willie Mullins's son Patrick Mullins. Usually just used for bumpers, Mullins picked up seven winners from his 17 rides at the festival including seven places leaving him with a 41% win rate for the week and a 82% place rate, some going.
He's by no means a future star of the sport but this form could well see him get the nod on a few more of his old mans big fancies especially heading in to the jumps season with Paul Townend likely to pick his rides carefully.