This jumps season has delivered some extraordinary numbers - and a reminder that suspicion of outsiders is not always wise

The final week of the British jumps season will be a story of numbers, with some very big ones set to determine whether Willie Mullins or Dan Skelton is crowned champion trainer. Their title tussle has delivered a new and welcome late plot twist to a season in which some of the numbers and narratives have been refreshingly pleasing to witness.

Regardless of who lifts the trophy at Sandown, there can be no doubt Mullins continues to dominate the sport. "He only won it because he deserved it," was JP McManus's simple but accurate commentary on Mullins becoming the first Irish-based jumps champion of Britain since Vincent O'Brien. Should he return to Closutton with more silverware on Saturday, he will have deserved it once again. 

You can argue this period of one-man rule is making the sport worryingly predictable, but did we complain when Tony McCoy was winning one jockeys' championship after the other? My memory tells me the general reaction was to salute his brilliance. Mullins is no less deserving of the same reaction.