Mullins almost on terms with Dan Skelton in British Trainers title race after highly successful Ayr raid
Willie Mullins is closing in on retaining the British Trainer's Championship Photo: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
A successful raid on the Coral Scottish Grand National has left Closutton maestro Willie Mullins trailing Dan Skelton by a little over £1400 as the British Champion Trainers title battle looks set to go right to the wire.
Skelton had looked a shoo-in for his first championship prior to Aintree, but Mullins’ extraordinary success in Liverpool saw the trophy slip from his grasp as the gap at the head of the table became dangerously slim.
On the Friday of the Ayr meeting the Skelton yard showed they would not go down without a fight, however, as a treble and over £46,000 in prize money reasserted their dominance.
Mullins had saved his key chances for Saturday, though, and saddled six in the feature and it was Captain Cody who came to the fore under Harry Cobden, with stablemate Klarc Kent the runner-up to give Mullins a one-two as Skelton’s contenders both failed to finish.
Further placed prize money and the victory of Dysart Dolomite in the BrandingHub For Signs & Graphics Open National Hunt Flat Race aided the Mullins cause even further.
Mullins was not counting his chickens before they hatched, however, and told Racing TV, who offer the latest free bets offers “Dan won’t be standing still so he’ll probably win it, and if he does he’ll feel like he’s won a proper title.
“Today we were having a dreadful day until the National but then it came right which puts us right back in there.
“There’s still a long way to go.”
The next big cab off the rank for Mullins, though it won't count towards his British target, is the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.
Mullins currently has 21 runners entered for the showpiece contest though that will decrease over the coming week. Captain Cody is currently a 10/1 shot with the bookmaker for the race but it'll be a huge surprise if he runs again, likewise Klarc Kent (25/1).
High Class Hero (12/1) could represent Mullins' best chance in the race, along with Quai De Bourbon (16/1).
