This is not the first time the trainers' title battle has gone down to the wire - and this one is better-tempered than some

We have been here before – and with a lot more emotion and anger than has been the case this time.

When Martin Pipe and Paul Nicholls clashed in 2004-05, and the pair both smashed the previous record for prize-money earned, it was not just their form that was red-hot.

There was animosity between the pair dating back to Pipe’s Cyborgo pulling up in the 1998 Gold Cup and carrying out Nicholls’ See More Business.

That underscored their struggle which went to the final day. As Nicholls later recalled: "Martin and I ended up punching ourselves to a standstill like two bare-knuckle prize fighters".

Controversy continued through to the last afternoon, when Pipe declared ten horses for the opening race at Sandown so that Nicholls’ hotly fancied The Persuader did not get in — and then pulled three of them out on the day.

Paul Nicholls and Martin Pipe keep their distance in the paddock at Sandown on the final day of the 2004-05 seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Well Chief then took the Celebration Chase to ensure Pipe clung on to be champion for the 15th time but Nicholls took the crown the following season and was in the running to match his rival's number of titles last term when he was battling against his protege Dan Skelton.

Then suddenly out of left field, or more accurately the other side of the Irish Sea, came Willie Mullins.

Winning nine races at the Cheltenham Festival, including the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup, was a signal of intent; and after being more than £700,000 behind Skelton heading in to Aintree, landing the Grand National put him into contention to become the first overseas-based trainer to take the British title since Vincent O’Brien 70 years earlier.

Taking the Scottish Grand National as part of a four-timer at Ayr made the unthinkable almost inevitable. He was over £180,000 clear going into the final afternoon at Sandown and sealed the championship when El Fabiolo finished second in the Celebration Chase.

Read more on the trainers' title race:

Tale of the season: Willie Mullins looks set to get up on the line after coming with another perfectly timed run

Trainers' championship showdown: a race-by-race guide to Sandown's epic title conclusion between Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins 

'We'll have to have a go. We'll see you at Ayr, Perth, and as many meetings here between now and Sandown' - the trainers' title in quotes 

'I know exactly what he’s going through' - the inside track on the title contenders by those who know them best 

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