Harry Skelton has warned Willie Mullins his team “will make it as hard as we can” as he looks to retain the trainers’ title at the expense of the jockey’s brother Dan.
The latter looked to have a first championship in the bag before Saturday’s Randox Grand National but a 1,2,3,5 for the reigning champion narrowed the lead to just over £120,000.
Mullins made it clear he was going all-out to overhaul his rival and has made 40 entries for Saturday’s card at Ayr.
Speaking on Tuesday’s Nick Lucky Daily Podcast, Harry Skelton said his team were always aware that the late challenge could be coming.
“You never write him off, that’s first and foremost, he’s capable of anything. The strength in depth is remarkable, the amount of horses he has, it’s incredible really,” he said. “It was evident after the Grand National, four in the first five, it lifted his prize-money considerably and it was an unbelievable result for them.
“Now it’s going to be a bit of a fight for the last few weeks. It’s going to be tough; we have some horses left to run but I must say horses like L’Eau Du Sud, they’ve been to every dance this year and he’s not going to be running again.
“We’ve a few left and will give it our best shot. We’re in front now, this time last year we were £50,000 behind but we knew in the back of our minds there was always this chance this could happen again because of the strength in depth they have but it is what it is. It’s sport and we get on with it.”
Skelton is convinced the team will be rewarded with a first title soon - even if they can’t repel the might of Mullins this time around.
“We’re proud of what we’re doing and want to get the trophy if it’s this year or we have to wait a little bit longer. I’m sure one day Dan will get his hands on it," he said.
“We’ll make it as hard as we can for Willie but on the other side of that he has a massive number to go this weekend and into Sandown also. We’ll make him work but we’re on a steep mountain and not quite at the top yet.”
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