Mullins recalls Wither Or Which after death of Champion Bumper ace at age of 30

Willie Mullins has reflected on the day he won the Champion Bumper on "galloping machine" Wither Or Which, who has died at the age of 30, and how he was cursing Ted Walsh for hailing him the "Irish banker" live on Channel 4.

Mullins said Wither Or Which's success at the 1996 Cheltenham Festival was "the rock" on which his business was built, having bucked the trend in Ireland at the time by turning down big money for the horse.

The 15-time champion trainer told the Racing Post: "I remember purposely keeping away from the television and the papers all day. I didn't want to read, see or hear anything about the race.

"Then as I went down into the stable yard all I could hear was Ted Walsh talking on Channel 4 and he was telling everyone that Wither Or Which was the Irish banker of the week and that he wouldn't be beaten!

"Well, the pressure I felt after hearing that was something else. Back then, there weren't many Irish winners at Cheltenham at all and to be the Irish banker was a massive thing so I really did feel the pressure when I heard Ted saying that."

Ruby Walsh: Faugheen's first defeat was my fault – I was trying to be too clever

It turned out Walsh was spot on as Wither Of Which stayed on strongly to beat Alzulu by two lengths at odds of 11-4.

The race may have had a fairytale ending for Wither Of Which and Mullins but the start of it was more like a nightmare.

Mullins said: "We didn't use a tape in Ireland, it was all flags starts. So, when the tapes went up that day he got an awful fright and he must have lost about ten lengths at the start.

"I had ridden the race in my head about a thousand times so I went into 'what do you do if you're left at the start mode' and rode the race the way I had imagined it in my head.

"We took a breath at halfway and he was just a galloping machine so he kept on going. It was a brilliant day and a fantastic occasion. One I'll never forget."

Speaking about Wither Of Which's recent years, Mullins added: "Wither Of Which was in great health up until the very end. He was a great companion for so many horses around here, be it yearlings or broodmares or whoever needed a companion. He more than paid his way and he'll always be fondly remembered here, that's for sure."

Read more of the week's top stories:

'There has to be a deterrent' – Jamie Osborne seeks prosecution for online abuse

Mahmood Al Zarooni to return to training following eight-year ban

Jim Bolger invited to substantiate drug cheat claims at parliamentary hearing

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets