Willie Mullins may be as short as 1/50 to be champion British jumps trainer but he has not leaving anything to chance and has entered 25 horses for Sandown's 'finale' card on Saturday.
Four winners at Ayr on Saturday - including the Scottish Grand National - put Mullins over £170,000 clear of nearest rival Dan Skelton in the British championship. Even if Mullins did not have any runners in Sandown it's highly unlikely that his prize money total would be headed by Skelton or third-placed Paul Nicholls, but the Co Carlow trainer is not taking the title for granted and has entered stars such as El Fabiolo and Gaelic Warrior at Sandown.
Both horses are entered for the Grade 1 £170,000 bet365 Celebration Chase, along with stable companions Appreciate It, Dysart Dynamo and Saint Sam. Henry de Bromhead has entered Cheltenham hero Captain Guinness for the same race while Nicky Henderson has engaged Jonbon. Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone are also among the 14 entries, while Dan Skelton has entered Nube Negra and new recruit Harper’s Brook.
Nicky Henderson said of Jonbon's plans: "We are thinking we’re going to Sandown, that’s the plan at the moment, we’re just a little concerned he’s had to start watering quite early. As long as it is safe.
“We did the two (Aintree and Sandown) last year, so it pricked our ears to it again. Punchestown is an option but I’d rather not be travelling, as it would be safer to stay in England, to be honest.”
Paul Nicholls’ Threeunderthrufive is left at the top of the weights for the bet365 Gold Cup. Last year’s winner Kitty’s Light remains in contention, with Le Milos carrying the flag for Skelton.
Mullins has left in four, with Nick Rockett and Minella Cocooner his main hopes.
Impaire Et Passe and Langer Dan could meet again in the bet365 Select Hurdle, in which Skelton has also entered My Drogo.
SANDOWN PARK ENTRIES AND CONFIRMATIONS FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH
Current Going: Good
1:50pm bet365 Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle 1m 7f 216y
Act of Authority (FR) 6 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy Sean Bowen
An Bradan Feasa (IRE) 4 Mrs Mary-Ann Middleton Jack Jones Tom Bellamy
Ballee (IRE) 5 The Ballee Syndicate Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
Be Aware (FR) 5 Mr Andrew L. Cohen Dan Skelton
Cannock Park 6 Thomas & Robson Paul Robson Craig Nichol
Court In The Act (IRE) 5 Heart of the South Racing 132 Harry Derham Paul O'Brien
Diamond Dice (IRE) 5 Private Harley Street Clinic Limited Jonjo O'Neill
Fiercely Proud (IRE) 5 Mr T. P. Radford Ben Pauling Kielan Woods
Fire Flyer (IRE) 6 Mr Michael Geoghegan Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
Geezer Rockstar (IRE) 5 Doubtfire, Haring, Thornton & Davies Harry Fry
Golden Maverick (FR) 4 RaceShare - Golden Maverick Jamie Snowden
Goonhilly (IRE) 6 Mr William Woodhouse Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
Got Grey (FR) 5 Only Here For The Beer Helen Nelmes Charlie Price (3)
Go To War (IRE) 6 Mr Grant Leon Fergal O'Brien
Hamsiyann (IRE) 4 Mr P. Davies A. J. Martin Ireland Sean Bowen
Helnwein (IRE) 6 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Helnwein Alan King
Highway One O Five (IRE) 5 Mr Anthony Ward-Thomas Chris Gordon
Just One Surf (FR) 5 Aura Racing Warren Greatrex James Bowen
King of Tara 5 Brogan Group Jonjo O'Neill
Lario (GER) 5 OLBG Racing Club Harry Derham Alice Stevens (5)
Maasai Mara 4 Exors of the Late Mr K W Bell John O'Shea
Morning Soldier (IRE) 5 Mrs Rita Byrne Thomas Mullins Ireland Not Qualified
Panjari (IRE) 6 Neil Smith & Alfie Smith Paul Nicholls Freddie Gingell (5)
Secret Squirrel 5 Mrs M. D. W. Morrison Hughie Morrison David Bass
Spirits Bay 6 Mr & Mrs P Carter, J.A.B Old, M Sanders Nigel Twiston-Davies Jordan Nailor
Steel Ally (FR) 6 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Sam Thomas Sam Twiston-Davies
The Good Doctor (FR) 5 The Aldaniti Partnership Ben Pauling
Yellow Star (FR) 4 Mr Tim Lord KC and Mr G L Moore Gary Moore
28 entries
2:25pm bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2) 2m 6f 164y
Ahoy Senor (IRE) 9 Wymer & Russell Lucinda Russell
Al Dancer (FR) 11 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Sam Thomas
Appreciate It (IRE) 10 Miss M. A. Masterson W. P. Mullins Ireland
Asterion Forlonge (FR) 10 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland
Bachasson (FR) 13 Ms Catherine P. O'Connell W. P. Mullins Ireland
Easy Game (FR) 10 Mr Nick Peacock W. P. Mullins Ireland
Fantastic Lady (FR) 9 Mr E. R. Hanbury Nicky Henderson
Flegmatik (FR) 9 Exors of the late Mr N. W. Lake Dan Skelton
Ga Law (FR) 8 The Footie Partnership Jamie Snowden Gavin Sheehan
Harper's Brook (IRE) 8 The Megsons Dan Skelton
Hitman (FR) 8 Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson & Done Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
James du Berlais (FR) 8 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland
Journey With Me (IRE) 8 Robcour Henry de Bromhead Ireland
Jungle Boogie (IRE) 10 Mr Malcolm C. Denmark Henry de Bromhead Ireland
Sail Away (FR) 8 Mr and Mrs J. D. Cotton Dan Skelton
Straw Fan Jack 9 Mr Graham Wilson Sheila Lewis Sean Houlihan
The Real Whacker (IRE) 8 Neville, Mann, Duffus, Dennis-Price Patrick Neville Sam Twiston-Davies
17 entries
3:00pm bet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 99y
Appreciate It (IRE) 10 Miss M. A. Masterson W. P. Mullins Ireland
Boothill (IRE) 9 Brian & Sandy Lambert Harry Fry Jonathan Burke
Captain Guinness (IRE) 9 Declan Landy Henry de Bromhead Ireland
Dysart Dynamo (IRE) 8 Ms Eleanor Manning W. P. Mullins Ireland
Editeur du Gite (FR) 10 The Preston Family, Friends & T Jacobs Gary Moore
Edwardstone 10 Robert Abrey & Ian Thurtle Alan King
El Fabiolo (FR) 7 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland
Elixir de Nutz (FR) 10 Mr Terry Warner Joe Tizzard
Gaelic Warrior (GER) 6 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland
Harper's Brook (IRE) 8 The Megsons Dan Skelton
Jonbon (FR) 8 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson
Maskada (FR) 8 M. K. Mariga Henry de Bromhead Ireland
Nube Negra (SPA) 10 Mr T. Spraggett Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
Saint Sam (FR) 7 Mr Edward J. Ware W. P. Mullins Ireland
14 entries
3:35pm bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m 4f 146y
Threeunderthrufive (IRE) 9 12 0 McNeill Family Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
Does He Know 9 11 12 Yes He Does Syndicate Kim Bailey David Bass
Sam Brown 12 11 12 Mr T. C. Frost Anthony Honeyball
Minella Cocooner (IRE) 8 11 9 Mr David Bobbett W. P. Mullins Ireland
Le Milos 9 11 7 The Jolly Good Partnership Dan Skelton
Nick Rockett (IRE) 7 11 5 Stewart & Sadie Andrew W. P. Mullins Ireland
The Goffer (IRE) 7 11 5 Mr Allan Snow Gordon Elliott Ireland
Kitty's Light 8 11 3 R J Bedford & All Stars Sports Racing Christian Williams
Kinondo Kwetu 8 11 2 Gunalt Partnership Sam England
Annual Invictus (IRE) 9 11 1 Mr Thomas Michael Smith Chris Gordon
Amirite (IRE) 8 11 0 Patrick Hale Henry de Bromhead Ireland
Aime Desjy (FR) 9 10 13 Roaringwater Syndicate W. P. Mullins Ireland
Courtland (IRE) 9 10 13 Miss Jayne Brace & Mr Gwyn Brace Peter Bowen
Slipway (IRE) 9 10 10 Mrs S. N. J. Embiricos Ben Pauling
Rapper 10 10 10 The Home Farm Partnership Henry Daly Richard Patrick
Fortescue 10 10 9 Mrs L Nixon Henry Daly
Certainly Red 10 10 7 The Venetian Lad Partnership Lydia Richards
Farceur du Large (FR) 9 10 7 RC Syndicate II Jamie Snowden
Guetapan Collonges (FR) 8 10 6 Mr John P. McManus Charlie Longsdon
Enrilo (FR) 10 10 6 Martin Broughton & Friends 4 Paul Nicholls Angus Cheleda (5)
Bangers And Cash (IRE) 8 10 4 OAP II Ben Pauling
Weveallbeencaught (IRE) 7 10 4 Jimmy & Susie Wenman Edward & Jane James Nigel Twiston-Davies
Flash Collonges (FR) 9 10 2 The Gi Gi Syndicate Paul Nicholls
Flash de Touzaine (FR) 9 10 2 J Carthy/E Nolan/K. P. Ryan/Mrs A Doyle Miss Liz Doyle Ireland
Full Back (FR) 9 10 2 Mr Ashley Head Gary Moore
We'llhavewan (IRE) 9 9 13 Bowes Lodge Stables W. P. Mullins Ireland
Your Own Story (IRE) 8 9 12 Mrs J Kehoe, Wymer & Russell Lucinda Russell
Magna Sam 10 9 8 Mr S. Price Alastair Ralph
28 confirmations
4:10pm bet365 Select Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 5f 110y
Asterion Forlonge (FR) 10 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland
Bachasson (FR) 13 Ms Catherine P. O'Connell W. P. Mullins Ireland
Ballyadam (IRE) 9 Cheveley Park Stud Henry de Bromhead Ireland
Blueking d'Oroux (FR) 5 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
Botox Has (FR) 8 John and Yvonne Stone Gary Moore
Brewin'upastorm (IRE) 11 Mrs Barbara Hester Olly Murphy Sean Bowen
Call Me Lord (FR) 11 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson
Impaire Et Passe (FR) 6 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland
Kateira 7 Little Lodge Farm & Dan Skelton Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
Langer Dan (IRE) 8 Mr Colm Donlon Dan Skelton
My Drogo 9 Mr & Mrs R. Kelvin-Hughes Dan Skelton
Sir Gerhard (IRE) 9 Cheveley Park Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland
Springwell Bay 7 Mrs Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
West Balboa (IRE) 8 Bullen-Smith & Faulks Dan Skelton
14 entries
4:45pm bet365 Josh Gifford Novices' Handicap Chase 2m 4f 10y
A Different Kind (IRE) 7 Mr Dene Rowe Donald McCain
Bourbali (FR) 7 W Pope, E Legg, M Green & T Swaffield Joe Tizzard
Bowtogreatness (IRE) 8 Harry Redknapp & Sophie Pauling Ben Pauling
Dreal Deal (IRE) 9 M. Devlin/P. Smith/N. O' Hare/C. Wylie John McConnell Ireland
Duhallow Tommy (IRE) 6 Mr John Terry Toby Lawes
Feu Du Bresil (FR) 9 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland
Glory And Honour (IRE) 8 Ursa Ellerby & Partner Sam England
Golden Son (FR) 6 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls
Invincible Nao (FR) 6 Paye, Darsey & Jamieson Gary Moore
Issar d'Airy (FR) 6 Mr Tommy Ware & Mr G L Moore Gary Moore
Kotmask (FR) 6 Aura Racing Gary Moore
Martator (FR) 7 Camilla Norton Venetia Williams
Mayhem Mya 7 Mr G. Thompson Chris Honour
Mole Court (IRE) 7 Elizabeth and Oliver Troup Ben Pauling
Mylesfromwicklow (IRE) 7 Norman Lake & Susan Carsberg Dan Skelton
Nickle Back (IRE) 8 The Friday Lunch Club Sarah Humphrey James Best
Outlaw Peter (IRE) 8 The Stewart Family,Dench,Ferguson&Mason Paul Nicholls
Persian Time 6 McNeill Family & Stone Family Nicky Henderson
Sure Touch 8 Geegeez.co.uk OM & Partner Olly Murphy
Tactical Move (IRE) 10 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland
Terresita (IRE) 7 Mr R Peters and Mr T Ford Lucy Wadham
The King of Ryhope 8 Spectre Racing - The King Of Ryhope Dan Skelton
Tightenourbelts (IRE) 7 Salvo & Alex Giannini, A Gemmell Emma Lavelle
Western Zephyr (IRE) 7 Swanee River Partnership Charlie Longsdon Sean Bowen
Weveallbeencaught (IRE) 7 Jimmy & Susie Wenman Edward & Jane James Nigel Twiston-Davies
25 entries
5:20pm bet365 Handicap Hurdle 2m 3f 173y
Arqoob (IRE) 6 Little Staughton Farms Ltd Lucy Wadham Bryony Frost
Authorised Speed (FR) 7 Gallagher Bloodstock Limited Gary Moore
Bad (FR) 5 Mr D. P. Howden Ben Pauling
Captain Cody (IRE) 6 V Caldwell/A Shamoon/Mrs A Shamoon Ibgi W. P. Mullins Ireland
Classic Anthem (IRE) 6 The Minions Jim Boyle Robert Dunne
Classic Lord (GER) 6 Mr R Cox & The Pant Wilkin Partnership Tim Vaughan
Doyen Quest (IRE) 6 Exors of the late Mr N. W. Lake Dan Skelton
Emailandy (IRE) 6 The Brooks & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
Get A Tonic (IRE) 8 Cherry Knoll Farm, M&T Ward & D Skelton Dan Skelton
Gold Dancer (FR) 5 Gigginstown House Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland
Icare Allen (FR) 6 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill
Ike Sport (FR) 6 The Chosen Few Neil Mulholland
Issam (FR) 6 Lady Gibbings Tom Symonds Jordan Nailor
Kamaxos (FR) 7 Value Rater Ltd & Partner Roger Teal Lilly Pinchin
Lookaway (IRE) 7 Peter Beadles Neil King Jack Quinlan
Luttrell Lad (IRE) 8 Owners for Owners Luttrell Lad Tom Lacey
Mahons Glory (IRE) 8 C Nightingale & Hold My Beer Partnership Patrick Neville Sam Twiston-Davies
Mark of Gold 7 Stevie Fisher & Friends Gary Moore
Monviel (IRE) 7 Dr V. M. G. Ferguson Harry Derham Paul O'Brien
O'Moore Park (IRE) 7 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland Not Qualified
Ocastle des Mottes (FR) 5 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland
Pic Roc (IRE) 6 Mrs Emma Kendall Ben Pauling
Rambo T (IRE) 7 Mpb Contractors Limited Olly Murphy Sean Bowen
Red Risk (FR) 9 Middleham Park Racing XLIV & A&J Ryan Paul Nicholls
Sa Majeste (FR) 6 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland
Skycutter (FR) 6 The French Connection Dan Skelton
Spirit d'Aunou (FR) 5 Heart of the South Racing 130 Gary Moore
Springwell Bay 7 Mrs Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill
Will Carver (IRE) 9 Owners Group 064 Nicky Henderson
29 entries