IN Ireland, a nation where horse racing runs through the veins, Rule The World became an instant celebrity when he won the famous Aintree steeplechase for trainer ‘Mouse’ Morris and jockey Dave Mullins on Saturday and as such, got star-treatment when he returned to the town of Mullingar in County Westmeath, Ireland.

Crowds did their best to get photographs and selfies with the new hero and the famous National trophy, in a town that also boasts musician Bressie (Niall Breslin) and singer Joe Dolan, hugely popular in the 70s and 80s, as natives.

Gardai stopped traffic and held back the thousand screaming fans as Rule The World arrived in a black horsebox, accompanied by two Range Rovers, and paraded up and down the street before disappearing into a nearby park.

One resident Mick O’Brien, 72, said: ‘I’ve been backing horses since I was a boy, but I’ve never seen a real life National winner in the flesh. This is a great day for the town.’

Trainer Morris, meanwhile, was still pinching himself the morning after what was an emotional success. Owner Michael O’Leary kissed the trophy in front of the crowds, just as rider Mullins did at the racetrack.

O’Leary, the RyanAir boss, commented: “We don’t bring enough trophies here to Mullingar, and on the rare occasion when Tipperary and Mouse lend us one I think we should bring it down here and let the people in Mullingar celebrate.”

Named to be a superstar, Rule The World has suffered his fair share of problems in recent years, breaking his pelvis on two occasions, but has been brilliantly nursed back to full health by his popular trainer