It may only be the second week in October, but Carlow based trainer Willie Mullins has already thrown down the gauntlet to the opposition. 

Mullins won all of the big races over the weekend, landing the Irish and English editions of the Cesarewitch on the flat, before bagging the Munster National in the jumps sphere with a reserve.

Stratum, owned by Brighton FC Chairman Tony Bloom, was a 25/1 winner of the English Cesearewitch at Newmarket on Saturday, prevailing by half a length under jockey Jason Watson.

Willie Mullins didn't fancy Stratum, nor did he fancy 10/1 shot Royal Illusion in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh on Sunday.

However, that didn't stop the seven-year-old from sluicing up by eight and a half lengths on soft ground over the two-mile trip.

It was the biggest victory of 17-year-old jockey Joey Sheridan's career.

Down at Limerick, Cabaret Queen qualified for the Munster National only after Na Trachtalai Abu was declared lame.

Good fortune paid dividends as Paul Townend gave the chaser a confident front running ride in deep ground, his horse bolting up by 13 lengths at a price of 8/1.

It's another example of Mullins working his magic. Cabaret Queen was only having her second run for her new stable after transferring from Dan Skelton's yard in England.

Two years ago, Total Recall won the Munster National before going on to greater things in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury.

The treble of Stratum, Royal Illusion and Cabaret Queen came to 2,574/1.

Watch out, everyone.