Slevin will look right at home in those distinctive silks in an arrangement that should work well for both sides

As an Irish Grand National-winning rider in the 'double green' who has had more rides for the team in Britain and Ireland in recent years than any other senior jockey bar Daryl Jacob, JJ Slevin's promotion is a natural progression.

Simon Munir and Isaac Souede have been happy to use him as their de facto first-choice rider on this side of the Irish Sea when Jacob wasn't available so this is an escalation of that policy, but it is also one that reaffirms where Munir and Souede's emphasis now lies. While their breeding and nursery division in France underpins the operation, having an Irish-based rider fits their current model. 

Paul Townend will still have first dibs on the duo's Willie Mullins-trained delegation, but Stuart Crawford plays a fundamental role, Henry de Bromhead is now on the ticket as well and Tom Gibney, who did such a neat job reinvigorating Intense Raffles en route to Irish Grand National success, will surely continue to be supported. Joseph O'Brien, Slevin's first cousin who has developed such a fantastic rapport with him all the way through, also has a fruitful association with Munir and Souede.