- Legendary Irish trainer is just £30,000 ahead of Harry Skelton in the standings
- He will have 18 runners in eight races at Ayr and six in Scottish Grand National
- Mullins is bidding to be first Irish trainer to grab the title since Vincent O’Brien
Bookies Paddy Power has paid out eight days early on Willie Mullins winning the UK National Hunt Trainers Championship.
The legendary Irish trainer is just £30,000 ahead of Harry Skelton in the standings, with Paul Nicholls just over £118,000 behind in third.
Mullins is bidding to become the first Irish trainer to grab the championship since Vincent O’Brien, who won back-to-back titles in 1952/53 and 1953/54 seasons.
And this weekend could be pivotal to deciding the title.
Mullins will have 18 runners in eight races at Ayr on Saturday and also has strong representation in the Scottish Grand National with six featuring in the race.
Willie Mullins (above) is on the verge of being crowned UK champion trainer winner
And despite the uncertainty on who will win the crown, Paddy Power have decided to pay out on Mullins.
Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: ‘We’ve ended up with egg on our faces from these early payouts before, but Willie currently holds the upper hand and certainly means business with, in addition to his powerful Ayr squad, entries at Ffos Las, Ludlow, Perth and Uttoxeter next week.
‘Today (Friday) Dan has nine runners at Ayr, while Willie has none and Paul’s fiercely competitive nature will have him chomping at the bit to equal Martin Pipe’s record 15 titles.
‘Our payout could make those English Titans even keener to repel the Irish juggernaut, but as far as we’re concerned there’s no stopping him. And those loyal punters who have backed him, are winning thanks to Willie once again, come what may.’
