British National Hunt Trainers Championship Odds: Dan vs Willie

Last season, the genius that is Willie Mullins became the first Irish-based handler in 70 years to win the British National Hunt Trainers Championship. He’s in Vincent O’Brien territory – rarefied air indeed.

Now after a simply sensational Aintree Grand National last week where he saddled the first, second, third and fifth, to say nothing of the welter of tip-top contests pocketed during the rest of the Festival on Merseyside, he’s breathing down the neck of current leader Dan Skelton in a thrilling bid to retain his crown.

Horse Racing Odds

It's all about the prize-money – and though Warwickshire-based Dan has his nose in front at present Willie will have plenty of raiders looking to bridge that gap, including at Ayr this weekend for their mouth-watering Scottish Grand National meeting.

Dan did well in Liverpool recently at their Grand National Festival, netting around £246k. Trouble is, Willie’s haul amounted to approaching one-and-a-half MILLION - catapulting him very firmly into the title conversation.

Plenty of twists and turns could well be on the cards on the way to the season finale at Sandown on Saturday, April 26. In terms of significant opportunities to garner prize-money after Ayr there are meetings in particular at Cheltenham, Plumpton and Perth, before the last-day hurrah in Esher with nearly £700k up for grabs.

Who can stop the Mullins juggernaut – or can Team Skelton keep the Closutton maestro at bay?

Before racing on Friday April 11, the scenario was; Dan Skelton £3,043,540, and W. P. Mullins £2,921,514

Dan has had three winners at Ayr on Friday, contributing around £40k to be added to that figure. This is an approximation, and for an absolutely definitive latest look the Great British Racing website updates their official stats on the Championship standings at 10:30am every morning.

So - Dan is presently in the van - but Willie's in hot pursuit, and has plenty of rockets to launch. What do YOU think?

Key runners at Ayr on Saturday, for both trainers;

Ayr 13:10 - Western Diego (Mullins); Asta La Pasta, Etalon (Skelton).

Ayr 13:43 - Loughglynn (Mullins); Theformismighty (Skelton).

Ayr 14:15 - Ethical Diamond, Bunting, Batman Girac, Karafon (Mullins);  Valgrand (Skelton).

Ayr 14:55 - Armed And Fabulous (Mullins).

Ayr 15:35, Scottish Grand National - Chosen Witness, Olympic Man, Captain Cody, Macdermott, Spanish Harlem, Klarc Kent (Mullins); Sail Away, Snipe (Skelton).

Ayr 16:10 - Jump Allen, C'Est Ta Chance (Mullins).

Ayr 16:45 - Chart Topper (Mullins).

Ayr 17:20 - Dysart Dolomite (Mullins).

Willie has no other entries in Britain on Saturday but Dan runs a couple at Bangor in minor contests worth around £10k in winning money in total.

Today's Horse Races