Dan Skelton stretches title lead to almost £70,000 after day of ups and downs before battle moves on to Plumpton

The margin widened between Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins in the British jumps trainers' title race on Saturday but the championship leader may be left rueing missed opportunities after a series of placed efforts. 

The day got off to a flying start when Soleil D'Arizona sailed over the final flight in Haydock's mares' maiden hurdle to add £8,169 to Skelton's prize pot, and while the trainer was able to put an additional £24,000 between him and Mullins, he had to contend with five placed finishes from his nine runners on Saturday. 

Got Grey, Heltenham and Queens Venture finished in the runner-up spot while Strolling Along claimed third, and the biggest prize of the day also slipped through his fingers at Haydock, when Le Milos could only manage fourth in the £100,000 veterans' chase final. 

The silver lining for Skelton was that Mullins was out of action for the afternoon, with no runners declared in Britain and his hopes for Fairyhouse cut short when the meeting was called off due to heavy rain. 

Team Skelton celebrate HAydock success with Soleil D'ArizonaCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The margin between the two trainers now stands at £69,172, up from £37,524 on Thursday, and although Skelton would no doubt desire better results on Saturday, he admitted to enjoying the down-to-the-wire nature of the contest. 

"Perversely, I'm really enjoying the title race," he said. "You'd have thought I should be nervous about what's to come but if we get beat we get beat and I'll have to deal with that, but I've actually really enjoyed this and hope we can do it.

"If we lost it because we lost form, the horses got sick or whatever that would be a real kick, but we didn't legislate for Willie being first, second, third, fifth and seventh in the National and winning the Boat Race and everything else – what can you do? That's the times we're in.

"We're still going strong and we'll continue to try to keep it that way. If it's enough, it's enough."

Soleil D'Arizona (right) gets the better of Jokers 'N' Clowns to help Dan Skelton's title bidCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

After a week of steady yet marginal gains from Skelton, Paddy Power cut him to 9-4 to maintain his advantage with just a week left of the championship, which concludes at Sandown on Saturday. Mullins remains favourite at 1-3. 

The title race now heads to East Sussex, as both trainers turn their attention to Plumpton's two Premier racedays on Sunday and Monday. 

The £75,000 Sussex Champion Hurdle (4.05) headlines Plumpton's Sunday card and could have a major influence on the championship, with Mullins fielding four runners including topweight Daddy Long Legs and County Hurdle third Absurde, while Aintree festival winner She's A Saint is among Skelton's two chances. 

The trainers return for more at Plumpton on Monday, where the Betgoodwin Sussex Champion Chase (2.35) boasts a £100,000 prize pot. Mullins has declared Westport Cove while Skelton will field recent Ayr scorer Asta La Pasta.

• 4.05 Plumpton: Willie Mullins saddles four-strong team in £75,000 Sussex Champion Hurdle led by Cheltenham Festival and Ebor winner Absurde  
• 3.30 Plumpton: 'He has a favourite's chance' - who fancies his runner to halt Dan Skelton's push for the trainers' title?  

Latest standings

Skelton £3,211,982
Mullins £3,142,810

Difference £69,172

How the day unfolded

Standings at start of the day
Skelton £3,180,333
Mullins £3,142,809

1.30 Haydock

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton - £8,169 (Soleil D'Arizona, WON)

Total
Skelton £3,188,502

1.54 Huntingdon

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton - £820 (Strolling Along, 3rd)

Total
Skelton - £3,189,322

2.05 Haydock

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton - £9,460 (Got Grey, 2nd)

Total
Skelton £3,198,782

2.40 Haydock

Prize-money accumulated
None (Land Genie, pulled up)

Total
Skelton £3,198,782

3.15 Haydock

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton - £5,910 (Le Milos, 4th)

Total
Skelton £3,204,692

4.19 Newton Abbot

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton - £4,860 (Heltenham, 2nd, Mount Tempest, pulled up)

Total
Skelton £3,209,552

4.25 Haydock 

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton - £2,430 (Queens Venture, 2nd)

Total
Skelton £3,211,982

5.24 Huntingdon

Prize-money accumulated
Skelton - none (Johnny Hooves, 8th)

Total
Skelton £3,211,982

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