Enthralling trainers' title race builds to a final-day shootout at star-studded Sandown

Monday

It’s another significant day as the enthralling British trainers’ title race between Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins continues on a busy afternoon of action on Easter Monday.

At Plumpton’s Premier raceday, the two men clash in several races, most notably in the feature Sussex Champion Chase (2.35). Leader Skelton is represented by favourite Asta La Pasta, while Mullins saddles Westport Cove in the hope of landing just over £52,000 on offer to the winner.

Mr Escobar (5.15) and Emerald Poet (5.35) also feature for defending champion Mullins on the card, while Skelton has five runners at the track, including hat-trick seeking Lady Jago in the 3m1½f handicap chase (4.19).

Skelton is also represented by runners at Chepstow and Fakenham.

The Irish Grand National (5.00) headlines a stellar card at Fairyhouse, which also stages three Grade 2s. Cheltenham Festival winner Haiti Couleurs is a leading fancy for Rebecca Curtis in the marathon contest, while Gavin Cromwell is responsible for strong contenders Now Is The Hour and Bioluminescence.

The Listed Magnolia Stakes (2.55) is the main event on Kempton’s all-weather card, with Group 3 winners Okeechobee, Lion’s Pride and Checkandchallenge part of a strong eight-runner contest.

The other action in Ireland comes from Cork, while there is also racing from Redcar and Wolverhampton.

Tuesday

The Listed Blue Riband Trial (2.10) headlines a strong card at Epsom, with four of the seven runners last-time-out winners.

Aidan O’Brien won this race in 2019 and sends Naas winner Trinity College, while the Clarehaven stable of John and Thady Gosden has scored five times in the last nine years and saddles the Godolphin-owned Devil's Advocate.

The 1m2f handicap (2.45), also worth £50,000, also features in the seven-race fixture.

Joyeuse: set to run at Fairyhouse on TuesdayCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

What was due to be the opening day of Fairyhouse’s Irish Grand National will take place after being rearranged from Saturday due to a waterlogged track. The card includes two Listed events, with the Nicky Henderson-trained Joyeuse aimed at the 2m handicap hurdle (5.05).

The remaining Flat action comes from Yarmouth and Thirsk, and there will be no change to the trainers’ title race with neither Skelton nor Mullins having runners at Kelso or Hereford.

Wednesday

The leading trainers are expected to recommence their battle at Perth, with the fixture staging two Listed contests. 

In the 3m novice hurdle (3.18), Skelton could run Royal Infantry and Land Genie, while Ballygunner Castle, Kiss WIll, Luckinthecity, More Coko and You Oughta Know also hold entries for Mullins.

The Closutton handler could rely on Paggane, Fun Fun Fun and Allegorie De Vassy in the following Listed 3m mares’ chase (3.48), with the Skelton-trained Coco Mademoiselle also a possible runner.

The other afternoon action comes from Ludlow and Catterick, and there is also an evening jumps fixture from Taunton and Flat action from Lingfield and Gowran Park.

Thursday

Skelton will go in search of more prize-money at Warwick, with seven of the 15 entries for the £18,000 feature 3m handicap hurdle (3.37) from his yard. Last-time-out winner Hidden History and Haydock runner-up Queens Venture could be involved.

At Perth, Mullins has entered Magic McColgan, Lombron and Tullyhill, while Skelton could be represented on the seven-race card.

In Ireland, the day concludes with action from Kilbeggan and Tipperary, while in Britain there are fixtures from Bangor, Beverley and Chelmsford.

Dancing Gemini was hugely impressive in the Doncaster MileCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Friday

The standout fixture comes from Sandown for the opening meeting of its Flat season featuring the Group 2 bet365 Mile (3.00).

Impressive Doncaster scorer Dancing Gemini could bid to follow up his winning return for Roger Teal. French raider Alcantor is one of his potential rivals, along with top-level scorer Tamfana, Lead Artist and last year’s Royal Ascot hero Haatem, who has not been seen since winning the Jersey Stakes.

Karl Burke has entered Royal Rhyme and Royal Champion for the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes (2.25), a contest that could also feature the likes of Almaqam, Arabian Crown and Al Aasy.

If that wasn’t enough, there could be Classic clues with the bet365 Classic Trial (3.35) expected to be another hot race. Debut winners I Am I Said and Damysus are notable entries, while Aidan O’Brien could send over Swagman.

Flat action also comes from Doncaster and it’s also the penultimate day of the jumps season, with racing from Perth, Chepstow and Fontwell.

Saturday

After an enthralling battle, Mullins and Skelton will learn their fate in the race to become champion trainer as the season concludes with an epic Sandown fixture.

The Grade 1 bet365 Celebration Chase (3.00) is one of four standout contests and both trainers could be well represented, but Jonbon is expected to attempt a hat-trick of victories in the race for Henderson.

Willie Mullins is aiming to win a second successive British trainers' titleCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Confirmations for the £175,000 race will be announced on Monday and the same amount of prize-money is on offer in the bet365 Gold Cup (3.35), with Mullins and Skelton also set to be well stocked. High Class Hero and Hoe Joly Smoke sit at the top of the betting for the two trainers respectively.

The top-class action also includes the Grade 2 bet365 Oaksey Chase (2.25) and Grade 2 bet365 Select Hurdle (4.10).

Champion jockey-elect Sean Bowen will also be awarded his trophy after fighting off the likes of Harry Skelton and Harry Cobden, while leading owner JP McManus will again be crowned champion. The conditional jockey championship will also conclude, with Freddie Gingell sitting ahead of Callum Pritchard.

The pick of the Flat action comes from Haydock, which is headlined by the 7f handicap (2.40), while Leicester, Ripon, Doncaster and Wolverhampton also stage meetings.

Sunday

A total of £280,000 is on offer across eight races on the all-weather at Southwell, including the feature 2m½f handicap (6.45). The day's other meeting comes from Wetherby.

Premier meetings

Monday Plumpton
Friday Sandown
Saturday Sandown
Sunday Southwell

Read more . . .

Title race: Willie Mullins closes in on Dan Skelton as Absurde leads home one-two at Plumpton in Sussex Champion Hurdle 

2025 Irish Grand National runners, tips and trainer insight: Conor Fennelly's pinstickers' guide 

'I should probably quit while I'm ahead' - another Willie Mullins ace for Harry Cobden as Absurde lands Sussex Champion Hurdle 

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