RACE FOR THE TITLE
It’s the sorcerer versus the apprentice for championship glory unless Mullins can produce a late Grand plan
NICHOLLS
Age 61 Titles 14
UK Prize money won (23-24) £2,570,055 Wins-runs 115-479 (24%) William Hill Odds 4-7
SKELTON
Age 39 Titles 0
UK Prize money won (23-24) 2,614,163 Wins-runs 107-694 (15%) William Hill Odds 3-1 MULLINS
Age 67 Titles 0 (17 in Ireland) UK Prize money won (23-24) £1,984,789 Wins-runs 14-97 (14%) William Hill Odds 100-30
THE battle for the trainers’ championship, which ends with Sandown’s Jump Finale card two weeks today, pitches sorcerer Paul Nicholls against apprentice Dan Skelton — but victory in Saturday’s Randox Grand National could yet see Willie Mullins usurp the pair. DAVID YATES inspects the trio’s title credentials.
PAUL NICHOLLS
VICTORY in the race for this season’s championship would deliver Paul Nicholls a 15th trainers’ crown – taking him level with one-time rival Martin Pipe.
Manor Farm Stables in
Ditcheat relies on some old allies and one new recruit in a bid for a fourth straight title win.
Among the former, Ascot Chase hero Pic D’orhy seeks to secure back-to-back triumphs in Friday’s My Pension Expert Melling Chase – he locks horns with Protektorat, saddled by former protégé Dan Skelton – but all eyes will be on
Caldwell Potter in the
Turners Mersey Novices’
Hurdle on Saturday.
Caldwell Potter joined Nicholls from Gordon Elliott for a record €740,000 after being sold at the Andy and Gemma Brown dispersal sale in February. “He’s not a morning glory – Gordon told me that – but the best horses don’t overdo it on the gallops,” said Nicholls. “We’ve got plenty of ammo but Pic D’orhy would have to be one of our best chances.”
Pipe (left) announced his retirement live on Channel 4’s Morning Line as Nicholls celebrated a first championship victory on the final day of the 2005-06 campaign. “I won’t be doing that,” laughed Nicholls. “Maybe in 20 years! But if Dan wins it, I’ll be the first to congratulate him.”
DAN SKELTON
NOBODY knows Nicholls better than the man seeking to beat him to the title – Dan Skelton.
Nine years spent working alongside Nicholls taught Skelton, who left Ditcheat in 2013 to start training in Alcester, that his former mentor will fight tooth and nail to hold on to his crown.
“I saw Paul at Cheltenham and he said, ‘Are you ready for a battle, boy?’” recalled the 39-year-old son of Olympic gold medalwinning equestrian Nick Skelton.
Four winners at the Festival took Skelton to the top of the trainers’ table, and Protektorat
and Grey Dawning, Grade 1 winners under the trainer’s brother Harry at the meeting, are back in action this week.
Turners Novices’ Chase victor Grey Dawning tackles today’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase, while Ryanair Chase hero Protektorat takes in the Melling Chase the following day – before Galia Des Liteaux attempts to become the first mare since Nickel Coin in 1951 to land Saturday’s Grand National.
“She’s really, really well,” added Skelton. “Her preparations have been good, she’s always struck as a real stayer and she’s very good in soft conditions.”
WILLIE MULLINS
IT is 70 years since Vincent O’brien won Britain’s National Hunt trainers’ championship – helped by the success of Royal Tan in the Grand National.
And Saturday’s race is once again pivotal to the title ambitions of Willie Mullins, who goes into Aintree’s three-day fixture with £609,753 to make up on leader Dan Skelton.
“I imagine we’d have to win the National to have a realistic chance, but it’s a possibility,” says Mullins, fresh from breaking through the 100-winner barrier at the Cheltenham Festival. “Anyone would be proud of winning it. It’s not the goal at the start of the year but we have the sort of ammunition to achieve it, and it’s something you keep at the back of your mind.”
Eight of Mullins’ nine National entries are guaranteed a place in the 34-strong final field, and the squad includes the fancied trio I Am Maximus, Mr Incredible and Meetingofthewaters.
A push for the 2015-16 title ended in failure, but Mullins has a strong representation to draw upon at Ayr and Sandown should a Closutton challenger join 2005 winner Hedgehunter on the National roll of honour.