The run-in: how are the top contenders in the British trainers' title placed?

The race for the British trainers' championship could be set for a thrilling finish with four leading candidates all in the running for the title at Sandown next month.

Some crucial big-race fixtures could play a leading role in deciding the outcome and while Paul Nicholls remains the overwhelming favourite to claim a record-extending 13th championship, Dan Skelton, Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson are all close on his heels in their bid for the crown.

With the Scottish Grand National, the Grand National and bet365 Gold Cup meetings left to go, we have taken a look at who may shape best to be awarded the leading trainer title in Britain this season.

Paul Nicholls

Prize-money: £2,184,862
Winners (strike-rate): 126 (22 per cent)
Position in title race: first

What do his chances look like?

While Nicholls was winless at the Cheltenham Festival for the second year running, it could be at Aintree where he shores up another championship, with the Ditcheat trainer set to send a typically strong team to Merseyside.

Two Grade 1 successes on the opening day and three winners overall were crucial to his cause last year and this year's Aintree meeting will be vital once again if he is to beat his challengers.

His team this year will be headed by festival absentee Bravemansgame, who will have leading claims in the Mildmay Novices' Chase, while Clan Des Obeaux could bid for back-to-back successes in the Betway Bowl.

Bravemansgame: heads Paul Nicholls' team for AintreeCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

McFabulous, Thyme White, Simply The Betts and Saint Calvados will head to Aintree as well, while Bob And Co could be his best chance of a winner over the National fences in the Randox Foxhunters' Chase, with Nicholls without a runner in the Grand National following Highland Hunter's injury.

His chances of major victories over Scottish National weekend look less likely, although he does fire some chances across Saturday's card, with Enrilo left in the Ayr marathon (3.35) at the latest confirmations stage and Hacker Des Places in the Scottish Champion Hurdle (2.25).

Nicholls crucially could be saving his ace cards until the final day of the season at Sandown, with classy novice Threeunderthrufive reportedly targeting the bet365 Gold Cup, while Greaneteen could bid to retain his bet365 Celebration Chase crown.

In his own words

"We'll have a big team for Aintree and, looking at the table, it's all to play for. We've got loads to run in April – we always do – and I have come out of Cheltenham quite lucky I reckon, because if Dan [Skelton] had won the Gold Cup and Nicky [Henderson] the Stayers' Hurdle and Champion Chase it would all have been different."

Nicky Henderson

Prize-money: £2,024,621
Winners (strike-rate): 112 (22 per cent)
Position in title race: second

What do his chances look like?

The in-form Henderson fared much better at Cheltenham compared to old rival Nicholls but just like his counterpart, his Aintree team looks equally as strong – if not better.

Heading the runners will be Stayers' Hurdle fourth Champ, who will look to get back to winning ways in the Liverpool Hurdle, while Epatante and Buveur D'Air could give the Seven Barrows trainer a strong hand in the Aintree Hurdle.

Champ: a leading contender for Nicky Henderson in his title chargeCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Add to that the classy Mister Fisher, exciting novice hurdlers Jonbon and Walking On Air, plus live Grand National hope Caribean Boy, and Henderson may well overtake Nicholls by the time the season draws to its close.

While he has no runner in the Scottish Grand National, County Hurdle second First Street has leading claims in the Scottish Champion Hurdle, and the season finale could prove to be Shishkin's redemption in the Celebration Chase and edge his trainer over the line.

In his own words

"Paul [Nicholls] wasn't quite as busy at Cheltenham as we were, so I think you'll find he's got rather a fresh team. Willie [Mullins] might be coming and taking us all on, so it could be very interesting. It's fun but the one thing to bear in mind is that unless it rains I'm not playing and that's that. It's too quick for us at the moment."

Dan Skelton

Prize-money: £1,846,163
Winners (strike-rate): 122 (18 per cent)
Position in title race: third

What do his chances look like?

Skelton may insist he is not focusing on the championship at this stage but there is no doubt that could shift should the next two weeks at Ayr and Aintree prove successful.

This weekend at Ayr could be the start of great things for Skelton, with West Cork a market leader for the Scottish Champion Hurdle following an excellent fourth in the County Hurdle, while Ashtown Lad could be an exciting novice in the Scottish Grand National.

Skelton is also targeting a strong team at Aintree, having enjoyed a Grade 1 double at the meeting last year. The standout will undoubtedly be Cheltenham Gold Cup third Protektorat, who is on course for the Betway Bowl on April 7.

Third Time Lucki, Allmankind and Elle Est Belle all missed Cheltenham and could use freshness to their advantage, while Nube Negra – renowned for going well fresh – could bid for elusive Grade 1 success in the Celebration Chase at Sandown.

In his own words

"I've not got my eye on the trainers' championship because I'm behind. And if somebody like Willie decided they were going to go and throw a load of aces, it's going to be hard to stop the likes of him. I'm not going to Aintree thinking I've got a chance of winning it but if we come out of Aintree with a chance, that's a different matter."

Willie Mullins

Prize-money: £1,569,890
Winners (strike-rate): 13 (17 per cent)
Position in title race: fourth

What do his chances look like?

A late runner to the championship race following his stunning ten winners at the Cheltenham Festival, there is a real possibility Mullins could become the first Irish trainer to land the British title since Vincent O'Brien in the 1953-54 season.

Mullins picked up a staggering £1,273,783 across a remarkable four days at Prestbury Park to shoot into contention and has previous form of sending an incredibly strong team to Aintree, coming within roughly £97,000 of Nicholls in a gripping title battle in 2015-16.

Burrows Saint (pink): could be a big player in the Grand National and Mullins' title bidCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

While we do not know the formalities of his Aintree team yet, he could could saddle four in the Randox Grand National with Burrows Saint, Brahma Bull, Class Conti and Agusta Gold.

Should he scoop the £500,000 prize in the iconic race, it could turn the trainers' championship on its head, with a formidable Mullins-trained team set to line up for the concluding stages of the season.

In his own words

"We're thinking about it at the minute. It's a nice position to be in. We're weighing up a few options and seeing how horses are coming out of Cheltenham. It's a very tight turnaround from Cheltenham to Aintree. Two and a half weeks wouldn't be my favourite turnaround, but it's there to play for all right. It's a possibility but we haven't got around to sitting down and discussing it."

What do the bookmakers think?

It could go right down to the wire but plenty of bookmakers make Nicholls an odds-on favourite to land his 13th title.

Coral make him a 2-5 shot and rate Henderson as the likely danger at 5-2, while both Mullins and Skelton are outsiders at 10-1 respectively, but the firm believe this weekend's meeting at Ayr could be key to the outcome of the title race.

Their spokesperson David Stevens said: "With four trainers still in contention for this season's title and plenty of prize-money up for grabs at Ayr this weekend, runners such as West Cork in the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle could well play their part in the race to be crowned champion."

Read more:

'He's made for it' – how Ciaran Murphy got JP McManus to buy big Aintree hope

'Potentially well-handicapped' novice has Ayr options – but ground is key

Remarkable Betty Batt named as honorary 41st runner in the Grand National

Over 50% off Racing Post Members' Club! Members' Club is the only subscription racing fans and punters need in order to stay informed and make smarter betting decisions. Features include early access to the Racing Post digital newspaper, exclusive news and interviews, premium tips and form study tools to assist with betting. Select 'Get Ultimate Monthly' and enter code TRYME to get your first month for just £14.99* – that's better than half price!

Subscribe now

If you decide that Members' Club is not for you, then you can cancel at anytime by contacting us.

*Members' Club Ultimate Monthly first month will be charged at £14.99, renews at full price thereafter