Willie Mullins' Route to Second Consecutive Trainers Title
Features | 11th April 2025
A sensational Grand National meeting has seen Willie Mullins leap right into the battle for the Jump Trainers’ Championship.
Despite notching up 10 Cheltenham Festival winners, he headed into Aintree’s three-day festival languishing in fourth place behind pacesetting Dan Skelton.
It seemed like the Irish champion needed a near-miracle to retain the British crown he won for the first time 12 months ago. But miracles are Willie’s stock-in-trade.
He won the meeting’s first four races – all Grade 1 prizes – added another top-level contest the following day and then saddled the first three in the Grand National.
His eight Aintree winners helped him leave Liverpool with an incredible prize money haul of more than £1.5million.
Frustratingly for Dan, he had five runner-ups and just one winner at Aintree. He still holds the lead in his quest to be champion trainer for the first time but his lead has been cut to less than £120,000.
Dan faces an almighty battle over the next two weeks. Here’s a look at what could be the battlegrounds en route to Sandown Park’s Jumps Season Finale.
Ayr
Friday 11 & Saturday 12 April - Feature Race: Coral Scottish Grand National (£200,000)
The two-day Coral Scottish Grand National Festival has taken on huge significance in the trainers’ title race.
Dan could add to his lead on the opening day. He has a runner in six of the races, while Willie is notable by his absence. It’s a different story on Saturday when there’s some big money on offer.
The reigning champ will have six runners in the £200,000 Coral Scottish Grand National, including last year’s winner McDermott.
Dan has Snipe and Sail Away in the field but both are likely to be outsiders.
There’s plenty of prize money up for grabs in the supporting races. The £100,000 Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle has attracted a dozen runners and Willie has four of them, led by Ethical Diamond. Dan relies on useful novice Valgrand.
In total, Willie has 17 runners on the day and the Irish champion is represented in every race. Dan has six horses entered across four races.
The Jump Trainers’ Championship table could look very different on Saturday evening.
Cheltenham
Wednesday 16 & Thursday 17 April - Feature Race: Matt Hampson Silver Trophy (£70,000)
Willie again dominated the Cheltenham Festival with ten winners at last month’s Festival and he could be tempted to return to the home of jump racing for its two-day meeting.
There’s £210,000 on offer on the opening day when the feature race is the £70,000 Matt Hampson Foundation Silver Trophy.
The following the day the seven-race card is worth a total of £270,000.
Dan had 13 runners at the meeting 12 months ago but could only manage a single winner. He will be hoping for a much better return this time.
Perth
Wednesday 23, Thursday 24 & Friday 25 April - Feature Race: British EBF Gold Castle Listed Novice Hurdle (£40,000)
Willie has voiced his intention to target the three-day Perth Festival in his attempt to retain his British trainers’ title.
He had one winner from seven runners 12 months ago but his team could be an awful lot stronger this year.
Dan might be forced to head to Scotland. He has an excellent 30 per cent strike-rate at Perth but he didn’t have a single runner at the meeting last year.
Sandown Park
Saturday 26 April - Feature Race: Bet365 Gold Cup (£175,000)
The race to be Champion Jump Trainer could go down to the final day.
It would be a fitting climax if both trainers went into Sandown’s Bet365 Jump Finale with a live chance. It would add an extra dimension to the superb end-of-season celebrations.
With £685,000 on offer across the seven races it promises to be a thrilling afternoon.
Willie had two winners on the card 12 months ago. His Impaire Et Passe edged out Dan’s Langer Dan in the Grade 2 Select Hurdle last year. He also saddled Minella Cocooner to win the main event, the Bet365 Gold Cup.
The is year, he has no less than 18 entries in the £175,000 handicap chase. Last year’s winner could defend his crown and Grand National third Grangeclare West is among his other possible runners.
Sandown specialist Hoe Joly Smoke heads Dan’s five entries.
It promises to be an exciting tussle for the trainers title with Dan also likely to be well represented at many of the smaller meetings over the next couple of weeks as he attempts to wear the crown for the first time.
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