THE RED-HOT Dan Skelton has been cut to favourite for this season’s National Hunt trainers’ Championship.
Coral bookmakers have the Lodge Hill trainer as evens (where he was previously 5-4), while Irish raider Willie Mullins is second favourite at 7-4
PASkelton has some serious ammunition this season[/caption]
Meanwhile, fourteen-time Champion Paul Nicholls is behind at 3-1 after a relatively slow start to the season.
Although, the Somerset-based team have picked up big-time in the last couple of weeks and have been firing in winners left, right and centre, with 11 wins from just 39 runs in the last 14 days.
Skelton, who has not won it before, came close last season when finishing on £2,934,539 prize money and 117 winners, not shy of Mullins’ whose 25 UK winners made him £3,116,171.
Mullins also became champion trainer in Ireland for the 17th time last season.
Skelton just nipped Nicholls in the bud. While the Ditcheat man trained the most winners with 131 of his horse’s striking gold last season, at £2,863,622 prize money it was quantity rather than quality.
THE SUN RACING MEMBERS ENCLOSURE
The only place to get Templegate’s tips first – and at the best prices – is by joining Sun Racing’s brilliant Members Enclosure.
Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing’s best winning team and get…
Four free racing tickets, four times a year – worth £300
Templegate’s daily tips at the BEST prices before anyone else
Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today
Exclusive insights from top trainer Ben Pauling
VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month
New customer offer with Coral
Become a member today for just £1*
*For the first month then £3 per month thereafter.
18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For more information contact [email protected]
Skelton is currently operating at a 23 per cent strike rate and has fired in 84 winners this season and made over £900,000 prize money already.
And he’s got some real firepower in his yard, not least last year’s Turners Novices Chase winner Grey Dawning and fan-favourite Protektorat.
Nicholls on the other hand has made less than £500,000 and only trained 34 winners.
Olly Murphy is also having a good season with 41 winners and £419,00 in prize money.
John Hill, spokesperson for Coral, said: “It is early in the season, but Dan Skelton has already built a decent lead at the top of the Trainers’ Championship standings, and the Lodge Hill man is now just evens to covert this position into his maiden title.”
Nicky Henderson, who has trained just 16 winners this season, is 12-1 to make a comeback.
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
