Mullins Sets His Sights On British Trainers' Championship

Fresh from his incredible training performance in the Grand National, Willie Mullins has now set his sights on retaining his British Trainers' Championship title.

The all-conquering handler trained four of the first five home in the Aintree showpiece, which saw him close the gap to Dan Skelton in the race to be British racing's top trainer.

Mullins made history last year by being just the second Irish trainer to claim the title in 70 years.

He is now in a great position to retain his title after earning nearly £1.5 million over the three days of the Aintree festival, meaning he trails long-time leader Dan Skelton by just over £120,000.

As it stands, Mullins is the 4/6 favourite with betting sites, while Skelton can be backed at 11/10.

Here, we look at the remaining fixtures and big races likely to have a significant bearing on the Trainers' Championship.

British Jump Trainers' Championship Odds

Ayr

April 12, 14:15 Scottish Champion Hurdle

Ayr hosts a two-day meeting this weekend, and while there is plenty of money up for grabs on Friday, Saturday's racing will shake up the Champion Trainer market with betting apps.

First up, the Scottish Champion Hurdle, worth £100,000, sees Mullins mob handed with seven entries, compared to one runner from Skelton's stable.

Mullins trains joint favourites Absurde and Kargese, who finished third and first in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, respectively.

Ethical Diamond was fourth in that race, and he is also set to line up for the Irish trainer.

On the other hand, Skelton will have to rely on Valgrand, a horse that finished well down the field in the same Cheltenham contest.

One plus for Skelton's charge is that he receives considerably more weight from the market leaders, but he still has much to do to earn any prize money for his trainer here.

April 12, 15:35 Scottish Grand National

With even more prize money on the line, the Scottish Grand National will have an even bigger say on the destination of the Trainers' title.

£200,000 is up for grabs, so it is no surprise that Mullins is sending a massive team of horses across the Irish Sea in an attempt to come out on top.

He has 11 horses entered in the race,  five of which are in the top six of the market offered by horse racing betting sites.

Chosen Witness, winner of a handicap hurdle at this meeting last year, heads the market and will be a fresh horse after bypassing the Cheltenham Festival.

High Class Hero, Captain Cody, Macdermott and O'Moore Park are also popular in the betting for Mullins.

Skelton has four entries, but Sail Away (50/1) is his shortest-priced runner in the field.

Therefore, The Scottish National will likely go Mullins' way, but Skelton has decent chances in other races on Saturday, worth £200,000 altogether.

Sandown

April 26, Celebration Chase

The final day of the jumps season is at Sandown, and it could make for a nail-biting finish to the Trainers' Championship race.

A total of £685,000 is up for grabs on the day, with the Grade 1 Celebration Chase being the standout.

The two-mile race is worth £175,000, a substantial amount in what is likely to be a day full of twists and turns.

Neither Mullins nor Skelton have won the race in the past, but they are likely to have some of their stable stars in action this year.

April 26, Bet365 Gold Cup

The Bet365 Gold Cup is another valuable race on the card. 

It was won last year by Mullins' Minella Cocooner, who finished a fine seventh in the Aintree Grand National this year.

Run over 3 miles and 5 furlongs; both trainers will have their top staying chasers in the prestigious contest.

If Mullins and Skelton are still battling it out at this stage, the final two races on the card - worth £75,000 in total - could be the deciding factor.