Dan Skelton restores £50,000 lead over Willie Mullins with across-the-card four-timer

Dan Skelton fought back on Easter Monday with an across-the-card four-timer, including victory in Plumpton's £45,000 novice handicap hurdle.

Mostly Sunny's win added £23,764.50 to the trainer's total, while Willie Mullins could only manage third, with Mr Escobar claiming £5,467.50. The reigning champion left Plumpton with a winner when Emerald Poet bagged £12,525.80 beating the Skelton-trained Le Beau Madrik in the bumper.

Earlier on the card, Paul Nicholls came to the aid of Skelton when saddling a one-two in the £100,000 BetGoodwin Sussex Champion Chase. The Skelton-trained Asta La Pasta failed to make an impression while Westport Cove could only manage fourth for Mullins, adding £6,080.

"We're loving it," said Harry Skelton. "Whether we win or lose, we're unbelievably proud of the team. The level of interest in the title race has surprised me and it's good for racing. We're chipping away but we know what's to come and know the force Willie and his team have got."

Skelton had 12 runners on Monday and away from Plumpton the trainer won two races at Chepstow with Deep Purple and Doyouknowwhatimean securing £10,585 in prize-money, and Claim Du Brizais adding almost £3,000 with victory at Fakenham.

Skelton was attempting to get back on the front foot on Monday after Willie Mullins reduced his lead to £27,878 on Easter Sunday. Absurde led home a one-two in the Sussex Champion Hurdle for the Irish trainer, who was cut to 1-4 (from 1-3) to retain the championship.

The two title rivals have made a combined 71 entries for Sandown's jumps season finale on Saturday, when Mullins could be represented by the likes of Lossiemouth, Gaelic Warrior and Grand National third Grangeclare West.

"A wall of horses are coming over on Saturday and I think it's going to be very hard to resist them but we'll do our best," said Skelton.

Latest standings

Skelton £3,285,029
Mullins £3,232,252 

Difference £52,777

How the day unfolded

Standings at start of the day

Skelton £3,236,057
Mullins £3,208,179

1.49 Chepstow

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton – £4,247.88 (Deep Purple, won)

Total
Skelton £3,240,305

2.00 Plumpton

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton – none (Gwennie May Star, pulled up)

Total
Skelton £3,240,305

2.35 Plumpton

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton – none (Asta La Pasta, ninth)
Mullins – £6,080 (Westport Cove, fourth)

Totals
Skelton £3,240,305
Mullins £3,214,259

2.48 Fakenham

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton – £471 (Wind River, fourth)

Total
Skelton £3,240,776

2.59 Chepstow

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton – £6,337.20  (Doyouknowwhatimean, won)

Total
Skelton £3,247,113

3.23 Fakenham

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton – none (Kenmya, sixth)

Total
Skelton £3,247,113 

3.34 Chepstow

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton – £372.50 (Real Stone, sixth)

Total
Skelton £3,247,486

3.45 Plumpton

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton – £23,764.50 (Mostly Sunny, won)
Mullins – £5,467.50 (Mr Escobar, third)

Totals
Skelton £3,271,250
Mullins £3,219,727 

4.19 Plumpton

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton – £1,003.20 (Lady Jago, fourth)

Total
Skelton £3,272,253

4.55 Plumpton

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton – £4,009.50 (Cusano, Second)

Total
Skelton £3,276,263

5.08 Fakenham

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton – £2,995.30 (Claim Du Brizais, won)

Total
Skelton £3,279,258 

5.35 Plumpton

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton – £5,770.70 (Le Beau Madrik, second)
Mullins – £12,525.80 (Emerald Poet, won)

Totals
Skelton £3,285,029
Mullins £3,232,252

Read these next:

Title rivals Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton make combined 71 entries for spectacular Sandown jumps season finale 

Haiti Couleurs seals 'amazing' Irish Grand National victory for Rebecca Curtis and Sean Bowen 

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