Willie Mullis successfully defended the championship of his coaches in the UK after receiving the best of a last day’s confrontation with Dan Skelton.
Skelton started the day over £ 68,000 before the mulls, but an easy win for the Oaksey Chase Chase Favorite Warrior Gaelic and then a surprise while Il Eti Temps overthrew JonBon ounce at Celebration Chase that the protective sample capture the control.
Training of the second, third, fourth and fifth horses in the Bet355 Golden Cup set the stamp on another success for the mulls, with the skeleton that must be placed again for the second.
Mullis had followed his rival at every stage of the campaign, but his usual Performance of Cheltenham was complemented by Nick Rockett leading a one-two-three in the Grand National in Aintree and Captain Cody taking home another large Scottish national pot in Ayr.
This firmly placed it in searching for a title protection, with both coaching that receives big meetings in Cheltenham, Perth and Plumton as well as less profile cards to follow the money – a tracking that is relieved now is over.
He said: “Relief is relief and it has been hard work in recent weeks.
“I’m sorry for Dan who has led all the way and then we’ve had a fantastic last few months that made this opportunity.
“It is hard when you beat almost an end to the photo, but we’re very happy to win. I know how the last few weeks were for me and Dan will hope for the best and it’s hard, you win some you lose some.”
The title battle has captured the titles in recent days, but Mullis has preferred not to pay much attention.
He said: “I haven’t read a letter for the last four days as there were so many things that were happening and I couldn’t watch on TV or read any of the racing letters – I tried to keep them away from everything or you couldn’t get it with it and I’m sure Dan was the same.
“It is a very public place and it has been great publicity for this sport rather than excellent for the protagonists. It has been difficult mentally, but I’m sure it’s tougher today for Dan than I am.”
O’Brien, who continued to prevail as a flat holder, was a double champion of British dances and Mullis feels that the initial arrival last year would probably say more.
He added: “I am very happy to have won it a second time, but it was probably sweeter to win the first time, but the horses had to run out of their skin and they have been since Christmas. Thankfully we have been in the right time. I will not make predictions next year!
“I am happy for all our horses and ties that have allowed us to bring their horses to England and it shows that they are all athletes and all the good people they have on your side. It is the ones who like to train – good people who are good for this sport. I am lucky to have many of those people.
“Out is outside this world to think that I have done similar to Vincent O’Brien, but then he went and made it back to the apartment, which I can assure you that I will not do it – I am very happy doing what I am doing and lucky to have the team I have, starting with Jackie my wife and then all the way down, I am excited.”
