Dan Skelton clear at the top of the table and odds-on to land his first trainers' title - but can he keep his rivals at bay?

Dan Skelton has a handsome lead in the British trainers' championship and is long odds-on to stay in front, but recent history suggests that with the Cheltenham Festival approaching the title is far from in the bag.

Last season's top four are the leading contenders once again in this year's race. The reigning champion Willie Mullins is only 57th in the standings, but is a master of the late surge, Nicky Henderson sits in third but has this season's best two-mile hurdler and chaser among his festival hopes, while the 14-time champion Paul Nicholls, in second, is never a man to write off.

With the final British Grade 1 before the Cheltenham Festival run, we look at how the four are placed compared to last year, what might happen over four pivotal days in the Cotswolds and consider if Skelton can leave his rivals needing to win the National to have any chance of catching him.