See also » Battling-Billaway-makes-it-four-inarow
He needs to improve a bit, I think, to retain his championship in England but we'll hope for the best. I was always going to win. He always steps at one every year in this race. I'm glad I didn't fall off, it would have been quite embarrassing if I did. I was always going to win but he is just getting older and I don't know if it's wiser or lazier but anyway, he won! He keeps me fit anyway. He is a brilliant jumper but just once in every race he loses concentration, that's just him. We put a tongue-tie on him today, maybe that wasn't the right thing to do, maybe he resented it, but I thought on the first lap that I was travelling very sweetly. I wouldn't mind putting a pair of blinkers on him, I don't know if Willie thinks the same. We'll have to consider it I think. He is not getting any younger and it's going to be hard to go back and win at Cheltenham. I think there is only one or two horses in the yard that have won more races than he has. He has given everyone lots of sport and will be very hard to replace. I was only bopping away on him and I'm even regretting hitting a slap or two, I just wasn't sure if the horse on the inside was coming with a run, I just couldn't quite see. There was more there. Once he got up against the rail and I got my stick in my left hand, he won better than it looked. W P Mullins, trainer

A steeplechase for ] Certified Hunters five years old and upwards that have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a Certified Hunters Steeplechase in Ireland or Great Britain or first, second, third or fourth in a Point to Point Steeplechase in Ireland or Great Britain between 5th October, 2019 and 6th February, 2023 and that have not won a race under any N.H. Rules or Rules of Racing since 1st March, 2022 other than Certified Hunters Steeplechases or Farmers Races
Weights - 5-y-o 11st 8lbs 6-y-o and up 12st Mares allowed 7lbs
Riders - Qualified Riders under I.N.H.S. Rules. a? A Hunters Certificate valid in accordance with Rule 78 for the 2022/2023 season for each horse engaged must be registered at the Office of the I.N.H.S. Committee, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, not later than 6th February or the horse is not qualified to start. In the case of horses trained in Great Britain, Hunters (Master of Hounds) Certificates must have been duly registered at the Racing Calendar Office, Wellingborough. The Stewards of the I.N.H.S. Committee have modified the Rules to permit horses for which Master of Hounds Certificates have been registered with the Jockey Club and which are eligible to run in Hunters Steeplechases in Great Britain to run in this race. However, horses with a Master of Hounds Certificate that have run in any race other than a Hunters' Steeplechase since 1st November, 2022 are excluded.