Dan Skelton confirmed his first Trainers’ Championship title in a facile manner with a quartet of winners at Aintree last weekend. Skelton looked set to be crowned the winner last season, but a Closutton surge saw him concede defeat at Sandown. Despite Mullins winning the Grand National again with I Am Maximus, it was already inevitable he was out of sight.
Skelton confirmed the victory with a remarkable four-timer on Saturday, with Mirabad landing the £67,724 Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase. It was a huge shock to kick off the Grand National card, as Tristan Durrell gained a breakthrough Grade 1. The Skelton’s claimed a Grade 1 double, as Bossman Jack took the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. If the £56,270 prize money wasn’t enough, they also claimed £21,200 in second with Soldier Reeves for good measure.
Mr Hope Street landed the hat-trick in the £56,270 Freebooter Handicap, getting up late by a head under Harry Skelton. The raid was completed in the finale, as Forthfactor took the bumper under Heidi Palin, beating Mullins’ into second.
Skelton ‘very proud’ of those in his operation
Speaking to the Racing Post regarding his achievements this season, Skelton said: “I’m just very proud of everybody. I set the bar and knew what we had to do to beat Willie. So we just had to go all out and the horses have responded. But the only way the horses can respond is if the staff put in the hours to get them to that fever pitch, and they’ve done it brilliantly.
“I think when we saw Willie’s lack of entries at Ayr, he was thinking it was impossible this year. And I know how that feels!
“All credit to the owners. They’ve bought into this all the way through my career and have been unbelievable supporters financially and emotionally. As friends and sportspeople; they’ve always wanted to be there for us. Hopefully this is a small token to give back to say they’re a part of this team.
“This is something I’ve always loved chasing and wanted to do. I know I’m going to be champion trainer, but I don’t know what it’s going to feel like. At the moment, I’m still a bit bamboozled after Saturday’s results.”
With £2,094,034 in prize money of a gap ahead of Mullins, Skelton will inevitably be crowned the Champion at Sandown. However, Skelton is already thinking of next season and is keen not to put the brakes on. “It’s my job not to be happy with this. It doesn’t stop at the end of the season. The horses’ careers move on. Protektorat is having his last season next term. It’s going to be impossible to replace him. But you’re always trying to look for one who can run in the same races as him.