WILLIE MULLINS will be crowned Irish champion jumps trainer for a 12th time after he reached an unassailable lead at Punchestown.
Mullins started the final week of the season with plenty of work to do as he was 521,413 euros behind title rival Gordon Elliott.
Elliott, who has led the Irish trainers’ championship for the bulk of the season, maintained a good advantage after the Tuesday at Punchestown, largely thanks to a huge error of judgement by Paul Townend in the Growise Champion Novice Chase.
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Since then however it’s been largely one-way traffic for Mullins, featuring an incredible six-timer on Wednesday and a treble on Thursday, including a Faugheen-inspired one-two-three in the Champion Stayers Hurdle, saw Mullins start the penultimate day with a lead of 424,148 euros.
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Sandown – Show On The Road: ‘Been consistent and this race should suit him’ (add to your betslip)
2.05 Haydock – Mijack: ‘Looks to have improved since last season and likes this ground’ (add to your betslip)
2.25 Sandown – Top Notch: ‘Had a break since his last run and his form is solid’ (add to your betslip)
2.45 Leicester – Emmaus: ‘Won both starts over this course and distance’ (add to your betslip)
3.00 Sandown – Altior: ‘Should be like a lap of honour for him’ (add to your betslip)
3.35 Sandown – Step Back: ‘Looks in need of this marathon trip’ (add to your betslip)
Kemboy justified 11-4 favouritism to increase the lead of the Closutton trainer to 458,148 euros, leaving Elliott pinning his hopes on the previously unbeaten Samcro winning the Punchestown Champion Hurdle as a novice to keep his claims of winning a first title alive.
However, Samcro fell three flights from home and Mullins saddled the second, third and fourth home to move to an unassailable 550,648 euro advantage with 12 races to go until the season ends.
Mullins will be officially crowned on Saturday at Punchestown.
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