El Fabiolo and Willie Mullins, who is attempting to win the British Trainers championship as well as the one he has already wrapped up in Ireland (Pictures: Racing Post)
James Stevens (Racing Post)
El Fabiolo and Gaelic Warrior feature among 25 entries for Willie Mullins at Sandown on Saturday, with the trainer looking to wrap up a first British trainers’ championship on the season finale card.
Mullins has a narrow lead at present over Dan Skelton and reigning champion Paul Nicholls.
Mullins – who is 1-20 to become the first Irish-based trainer to win a British jumps championship since Vincent O’Brien – could be represented in the bet365 Gold Cup, with Minella Cocooner, Nick Rockett, Aime Desjy and We’llhavewan put forward at Monday’s confirmation stage. Ante-post second favourite Desertmore House was the most notable name to be scratched from the prestigious handicap worth £170,000.
The trainer put five in the bet365 Celebration Chase – the only Grade 1 on the card – with the heavyweight pair of El Fabiolo and Gaelic Warrior joined by Appreciate It, Dysart Dynamo and Saint Sam. Saturday’s race would be a first start for El Fabiolo since disappointing at the Cheltenham Festival, while Arkle winner Gaelic Warrior has yet to be tested in open top-level company.
Their opposition could include defending champion Jonbon, who bounced back to form in the Melling Chase at Aintree this month, and Champion Chase winner Captain Guinness.
Appreciate It, Asterion Forlonge, Bachasson, Easy Game and James Du Berlais make up his challenge in the bet365 Oaksey Chase with Paul Nicholls set to take him on with Hitman and Dan Skelton with Flegmatik, Sail Away and Harper’s Brook, who has joined the yard from Ben Pauling.
Impaire Et Passe heads the Mullins raiders in the bet365 Select Hurdle. The Skelton-trained Kateira already has stable jockey Harry Skelton booked, while Langer Dan, My Drogo and West Balboa are also entered. Nicholls could send Blueking D’Oroux.
There were five Mullins-trained entries in the final jumps race of the season, the 2m4f handicap hurdle, including Sa Majeste who disappointed having been sent off 5-1 in the Coral Cup.
The 2m novice championship final, a race which runners need to qualify for, is the only which does not feature a Mullins runner. Fire Flyer and Goonhilly appear to be the main hopes for Nicholls and Skelton respectively.
