Mullins looks set to launch major Ayr raid again

Last year’s winner Macdermott is one of 11 possible runners for Willie Mullins in the Coral Scottish Grand National as he goes all out in defence of the trainers’ championship.

The current holder looked to face a stiff task before Aintree’s three-day meeting but he went on to land five Grade One wins, a Grade Two and the Topham alongside his incredible feat of providing five of the first seven home in the Grand National, meaning he took home the lion’s share of £1million in that race alone.

All of a sudden, Dan Skelton’s lead is down to just over £120,000 and Mullins is now taking dead aim at Ayr.

Mullins’ Chosen Witness has been put in as the 8-1 ante-post favourite by the sponsors, while the likes of High Class Hero, Captain Cody, Olympic Man and O’Moore Park could form part of his team in a race for which 33 remain in contention, with a maximum field of 30 allowed.

Skelton has three potential runners in Sail Away, Theformismighty and Snipe – and all are big prices.

Other entries of note include the Lucinda Russell pair of Apple Away and Whistle Stop Tour, Ben Pauling’s Henry’s Friend and Joe Tizzard’s Rock My Way.

Skelton has just one of the 18 left in the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle in Valgrand, while Mullins has seven, including the last two winners of Cheltenham’s County Hurdle in Kargese and Absurde.

Nicky Henderson has entered Joyeuse and Under Control, Dysart Enos has been left in by Fergal O’Brien and the in-form Paul Nicholls could run Kabral Du Mathan.

On the back of seeing how many entries he has made and the intent with which he seems determined to keep the title, Coral have cut Mullins to 1-4 to retain his crown from 4-7.

“We already knew Willie Mullins intended to send a strong team to Ayr this Saturday, but the numerical strength of his raiding party has seen his title odds slashed, while his runners also dominate the betting for both the Scottish Grand National and the Scottish Champion Hurdle,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

“Dan Skelton won’t be waving the white flag though, and he has plenty of his own runners over the two-day meeting, although he is now out to 5-2 to win a first championship.”