Willie Mullins v Dan Skelton prize money Trainers' Championship standings and runners today at Sandown

Willie Mullins trails Dan Skelton by £68,482 going into the final day of the UK Trainers' Championship - but has a formidable team heading to the Surrey venue on Saturday.

Skelton has increased his lead in recent days after recording an across the card treble on Thursday as Gwennie May Jem and Doyen Quest scored at Warwick, while Heltenham triumphed at Perth.

He then followed up on Friday as Coco Mademoiselle won at Perth before Doyouknowwhatimean finished runner-up at Chepstow.

But despite his advantage, Skelton, who has led the championship since it began, admits he faces a 'borderline impossible' task to see off the Mullins juggernaut at Sandown.

The Ladbrokes ambassador said: "It's the last day of the season on Saturday and we've got to face a wall of Willie Mullins horses to try and defend our lead in the Trainers' title, which is going to be borderline impossible... but we're going to go and give it our best.

"It's just been a phenomenal year for us really. At the start of the season, I wanted to win close to £3.4 million in prize money. I thought that would be enough, and under normal circumstances it would; I think the amount of prize money we've won would've had us winning every trainers' championship there's ever been, bar four. So that just shows you what a great year we've had.

"Willie [Mullins] is just going to come over on the last day of the season with waggons full of horses and blow us clean out of the water, I'd have thought. But we've loved this season, it's been absolutely amazing. The team have been great, the owners have been phenomenal.

"We're odds-on to get beat on the last day of the season, having led for the rest of the way. We’ve got a lot to be proud of, and we've got a better team again for next year. The team is only getting better, stronger and more experienced. It's just been a great year, and it'll be sad to lose it on the last day, but I won't dwell on it at all, because it's just been such a good year. Maybe somehow we hang on?! Whatever the outcome, We'll just try and do it all again next season!"

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Mullins is responsible for 10 of the 20 runners in the £175,000 bet365 Gold Cup, which could be crucial in deciding in which direction the trainers trophy heads, while Skelton will rely on just course winner Hoe Joly Smoke, who has had this race as his target since scoring here in March.

Amongst the Mullins battalion is Grand National third Grangeclare West, Aintree seventh Minella Cocooner and top-class pair Dancing City and High Class Hero.

Jonbon is the odds-on favourite for the bet365 Celebration Chase as he attempts to win the race for the third successive year for Nicky Henderson.

However, the race could still have a real bearing on the title race with Mullins saddling dual Champion Chase hero Energumene and the returning Il Etait Temps, while Unexpected Party and Harper’s Brook will do battle for Skelton.

Aintree Bowl scorer Gaelic Warrior leads the Mullins assault on the bet365 Oaksey Chase, with Topham winner Gentleman De Mee, Appreciate It and Classic Getaway are also on the teamsheet.

Skelton saddles Boombawn in the Grade Two event, but may be hoping his old boss Paul Nicholls can help him out, with Ascot Chase hero Pic D’Orhy the form pick of the British-trained hopefuls.

Lossiemouth bypasses the bet365 Select Hurdle, with Kitzbuhel the raiding representative from County Carlow. Skelton relies on both Gwennie May Boy and Take No Chances.

The action begins at Sandown with the two-mile bet365 Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle at 1.20pm and concludes with the bet365 Handicap Hurdle over 2m4f at 4.45pm.

Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton runners at Sandown on Saturday

1.20 bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (£100,000)

Willie Mullins: None
Dan Skelton: None

1.50 bet365 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase (£40,000)

Mullins: None
Skelton: Riskintheground

2.25 bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2, £80,000)

Mullins: Appreciate It, Classic Getaway, Gaelic Warrior, Gentleman De Mee
Skelton: Boombawn

3.00 bet365 Select Hurdle (Grade 2, £80,000)

Mullins: Kitzbuhel
Skelton: Gwennie May Boy, Take No Chances

3.35 bet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1, £175,000)

Mullins: Energumene, Il Etait Temps
Skelton: Harper’s Brook, Unexpected Party

4.10 bet365 Gold Cup (£175,000)

Mullins: Grangeclare West, Minella Cocooner, Dancing City, High Class Hero, Lombron, Olympic Man, O'Moore Park, Spanish Harlem,Chosen Witness, Klarc Kent
Skelton: Hoe Joly Smoke

4.45 bet365 Handicap Hurdle (£35,000)

Mullins: Bunting, Dr Eggman, Jump Allen, King Alexander
Skelton: Got Grey, Mostly Sunny

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