'It's still up for grabs' - Dan Skelton hanging on in there as Willie Mullins prepares strong squad for Sandown season finale

Willie Mullins believes the British trainers' championship is still "up for grabs" as he prepares to send a battalion of runners to the season finale at Sandown on Saturday.

The reigning champion, who is £57,718 behind Skelton before racing on Friday, has made 21 declarations, including as many as ten in the £175,000 bet365 Gold Cup (4.10). His team includes Gaelic Warrior in the Oaksey Chase and Energumene in the Celebration Chase, although Lossiemouth was not declared for the Grade 2 Select Hurdle. 

Skelton is set to have nine runners at Sandown, including Hoe Joly Smoke, his sole runner in the bet365 Gold Cup, while he has two chances in the Celebration Chase, the final Grade 1 of the British season. The market is headed by last year's winner Jonbon, who will be partnered by Mark Walsh in the absence of the injured Nico de Boinville. 

"It's tough for Dan because people were calling him the champion all year and he's done everything right," said Mullins, who claimed the title for the first time on the final day last season. 

"We have come along late in the day, but that's always what we do every year, we don’t start early as I find that's what works best for us. 

“Dan is out in front and has the points on the board. You can think about the points you hope to get, but as you see in the Premier League every year, having them on the board is important. Dan has some nice chances over the next few days and it will come down to Sandown on Saturday. I think the title is still up for grabs – it’s never that simple."

Willie Mullins alongside Grand National winner Nick RockettCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Mullins entered the championship equation when saddling five of the first seven home in the Grand National and his bid has been sustained by raids on Ayr, Cheltenham, Plumpton and Perth. He does not have any runners in Britain on Friday, giving Skelton the chance to extend his lead, but remains an odds-on favourite to retain the title.

"We've had a great year," said Skelton. "It's been unbelievable. We set out to win between £3.3 and £3.4 million in prize-money and we thought that would be enough to be champion trainer, but it's a different time we live in with Willie's strength in depth. It's going to be tough on Saturday as we always knew he was going to attack Sandown.

"If we're beaten we'll just have to go again. We've got a stronger team for next year so I'm not frightened of the future. We're going to give it our best. 

"I've loved going racing in the last three weeks, probably more than I ever have. I'm so proud of everybody. I don't want any sympathy because we've had an unbelievable year and maybe our time will come."

Read more on the title race here:

Dan Skelton extends trainers' championship lead with across-the-card treble - three runners still to come 

Dan Skelton enjoys double at local track as amateur rider at yard boosts her own championship claims on Doyen Quest 

Minella Cocooner connections hoping history can repeat itself as their star helps fly the flag for Willie Mullins at Sandown 

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