Four on the day for Skelton means it is still game on for the title

Dan Skelton admitted to being been blown away by the level of support he has received during the trainers’ championship battle with Willie Mullins after forging £52,775 ahead with a four-timer on Easter Monday.

Two winners at Chepstow, one at Fakenham and a lucrative triumph for 14-1 shot Mostly Sunny at Plumpton helped the Warwickshire handler extend his advantage, having started the day £27,878 in front, albeit Mullins did have the last word with victory over Skelton in a precious Plumpton bumper.

“Last year, because there was never really any chance of us winning after Ayr, perhaps people didn’t really get into it, but this year, I’ve just felt a totally different feeling about it all,” Skelton told Sky Sports Racing.

“A wall of horses is coming over on Saturday (to Sandown) and I think it’s going to be very, very hard for us to resist them, but we’ll be doing our best and I’m enjoying it.

“We are having some great moments. I know they are not always on the biggest stage or anything like that, but they are great moments – we’re competitors and we’re just revved for it.

“The support this year, compared to last year, is totally different. Last year, we got plenty of support, especially within our own team, the owners and everything, but this year, those team members have been even more vociferous in their support and when you go to the races, it’s just ramped up a lot.

“You persuade yourself that it’s only the big ones that count, but it’s not, the little ones all add up, we’ve had a phenomenal year and if we get beat in the championship, nobody will have ever won as much money to be second – and we just hope that we don’t get beat. It’s exciting and we’ll see.

“I’ll be doing my best, we’ll be doing our best, and we’ll see if it’s possible, although like I say, I’m concerned about what might be coming on Saturday.”

Skelton got the day off to a flying start at Chepstow, where Deep Purple picked up just short of £4,248 with a 6-1 success under Charlie Todd after being left clear when the Paul Nicholls-trained Jakar Du Moulin unseated his rider two out.

Gwennie May Star disappointed for the Alcester handler when pulled up in Plumpton’s opener and Asta La Pasta could not land a blow in the valuable BetGoodwin Sussex Champion Chase Handicap Chase, but 18-5 favourite Westport Cove failed to fully capitalise for Mullins, fading late on to finish fourth for £6,080.

Wind River made a minor £471 gain for Skelton by finishing fourth at Fakenham but Doyouknowwhatimean’s Chepstow success was more significant, adding £6,337 to the tally.

Skelton’s Kenmya was out of the money at Fakenham and Real Stone only contributed £372 for a Chepstow sixth, but Skelton then struck a notable blow in the Southern Cranes Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton, with outsider Mostly Sunny storming home to claim the £23,764 first prize, while Mr Escobar bagged £5,468 in third for Mullins.

Lady Jago was a disappointing last of four at Plumpton for Skelton but still bagged £1,003 and Cusano came home strongly to snatch second at the same venue and another £4,010, while Claim Du Brizais netted £2,995 for striking in a Fakenham bumper.

A fascinating day finished in a fitting fashion when 4-5 favourite Emerald Poet obliged for Mullins in Plumpton’s BetGoodwin Free Bet On Nose Losers Open National Hunt Flat Race under Harry Cobden, earning £12,526 for fending off the challenge of Skelton’s Le Beau Madrik, who at least landed £5,771.

Harry Skelton partnered Mostly Sunny to victory in a success he clearly enjoyed. He said: “I’m just proud of everyone. I haven’t been here for five years and the crowd has been incredible, whether we win or lose.

“It’s good for racing and we’re in there chipping away, we’ll keep going, but we know what’s to come, we’re not too naive to ignore the force that Willie and his team have got, but the staff are behind us, the owners are behind us and the public, in the last few days, have been incredible.

“I wear my heart on my sleeve a bit and I’m loving it. Hopefully we can hang on, but whatever happens, we’re proud of the whole team and the horses are flying, it’s a testament to the team to keep them in that form throughout the year.”

Coral cut Mullins to 2-11 for the title from 1-4 and eased Skelton to 7-2 from 11-4.