Dan Skelton is determined not to give Willie Mullins a 'sniff' as he pursues his first British jumps trainers' title. The Warwickshire-based trainer currently holds a lead of more than £1.2 million over the Irish champion, with 108 winners earning £2.4 million this season.
Mullins, a 19-time champion jumps trainer, has only four winners in Britain this term, but his strength lies in spring festivals such as the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National. Skelton, who finished runner-up in the last two seasons, lost the title on the final day last April after Mullins' runners dominated the Grand National.
Ladbrokes ambassador Skelton said: 'We are ahead of where we were last year and everything is going along well. Even though we have a decent lead, you can never get comfortable. The trick is not to give him a sniff at all.'
Brother Harry Skelton, champion jockey in 2020-21, said the trainers' title would be a collective achievement. 'However a collective effort is needed to produce that result. It will be one name on the trophy, but in fact, it would belong to everyone,' he added.
