Perth double sees Mullins make inroads into title lead of Skelton

Willie Mullins trails Dan Skelton by £24,289 in the trainers’ title race after a Listed double saw the reigning champion significantly erode the deficit at Perth on Wednesday.

Skelton led the way to the tune of £57,777 prior to the start of play, but Mullins was the first to strike a significant blow in Scotland, as Kiss Will and Paul Townend picked up £22,780 with victory in the British EBF Gold Castle “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.

Skelton did saddle the runner-up Royal Infantry to lessen the blow, but Mullins then pocketed another £25,889 in total after the Townend-ridden Fun Fun Fun and Paggane provided the master of Closutton with a one-two in the Quilter Cheviot Fair Maid Of Perth Mares’ Chase.

Townend told Racing TV: “It (Perth) is a brilliant place to come, it’s a great atmosphere and lovely weather and they’ve done an incredible job with the ground. I couldn’t give them enough plaudits for that, it’s beautiful out there.

“I don’t know what happened to Kiss Will in Cheltenham, but he travelled well throughout the race today and I hope he can have a bright future.

“Fun Fun Fun made harder work of it than I was hoping, but there was plenty in the tank when I needed it and she’s done an important job today.”

On the title race, he added: “I’ll leave someone else to figure the maths!”

While Mullins was the big winner on the day, Skelton did not finish the afternoon empty handed, with Etalon’s triumph in the Phil Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase at Perth earning him £8,713 and the subsequent success of Jeffery’s Cross in the hunter chase at Ludlow worth a further £3,388.

Madajovy also placed for Skelton – whose last runner of the day, Jo’s Rainbow, was at Taunton’s evening meeting – in the bumper at Ludlow.

Etalon’s rider Harry Skelton said: “He’s been difficult to get right at home, but he’s brought it all together hopefully when needed. I’d say we need every penny we can get!”

Mullins’ sole runner on Thursday is Magic McColgan at Perth, while in contrast Skelton sends out a formidable team of 18 across meetings at Perth, Warwick and Bangor.

Mullins is not represented at all in Britain on Friday, with Skelton declaring two runners at Perth and two at Chepstow, potentially giving him the opportunity to further add to his total ahead of what promises to be an enthralling final day of the season at Sandown on Saturday.

Following collaboration between the British Horseracing Authority and Sandown, the high-profile meeting will begin 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled to ensure ITV viewers can see the final six races on the card and therefore the conclusion of the trainers’ championship.

Sandown’s clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: “All of us at Sandown Park are excited about bringing the curtain down on what has been a fantastic season and showcasing its thrilling conclusion to fans on course and at home.”