Willie Mullins on verge of historic British trainers’ title after stunning 4,462-1 four-timer at Ayr

THE trainers’ title is heading to County Carlow after Macdermott’s thrilling win in the Coral Scottish Grand National.

Just like the iconic Vincent O’Brien 70 years ago, modern-day legend Willie Mullins is set to win the British championship while training on the other side of the Irish Sea.

PAMacdermott won the Scottish Grand National at 18-1[/caption]

PAIt capped a memorable day for Willie Mullins – who is now 1-20 to win the trainers’ title[/caption]

Mathematically it’s not over. Mullins leads by £182,195 and there is £675,000 up for grabs at Sandown on Saturday, so Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls are technically in with a squeak.

And if the result of the photo finish to this epic race had gone the way of the gutsy runner-up Surrey Quest, they may still have felt it was game on heading into the big jumps finale.

Macdermott, though, had his head down when it mattered, and that noise you can hear is the fat lady clearing her throat.

Neither Skelton nor Nicholls will admit losing out in the title race to an Irish trainer is that big a deal, especially given the dominance of the Mullins stable.

But it will sting, no doubt, and it is an embarrassing reminder of just how far behind the Irish we have fallen in this country.

The master of Closutton will likely win the title with fewer than 25 winners this season – Skelton and Nicholls have had nearly 250 between them.

Mullins wins when it matters.

Mind you, his Scottish National victory was nowhere near as straightforward as his Grand National winner at Aintree last weekend.

I Am Maximus powered clear around the Elbow to win by eight lengths, but Macdermott only just held on by a flared nostril after a ding-dong battle with Surrey Quest.

The race got off to a nightmare beginning for Mullins, when the roguish Mr Incredible refused to race when the tapes went up.

But it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, and Macdermott saw the four-mile trip out best under Willie’s nephew Danny to win at surprisingly long odds of 18-1.

Mullins, who raised his trilby as he received the applause of the crowd, said: “I honestly didn’t think we’d held on, but I’m thankful he did!

“We liked his chances coming here and he had been training well, so I’m a little surprised he went off at such a big price.

“I thought Danny gave him a cool ride, he was holding on to him in the straight and managed to get him home in a great finish.
“We’ve one hand on the title, we are in pole position after today. 

“It is something we have never achieved before but one day we thought it might be possible, though you need everything to drop right.

“There is a lot of prize-money at Sandown next week and Dan and Paul will still be going for it so we can’t stop, we’ll keep going.”

Not content with just winning the big race of the day, Mullins hopped back on the flight home with a huge 4,462-1 four-timer in the bag.

Sharjah obliged in a £50,000 handicap, odds-on shot Quai De Bourbon eased home and 16-1 shot Chosen Witness netted £10,500 – nutting a Skelton runner on the line in the process.

Mullins smiled: “I’ve not been a regular here over the years but maybe I’ll have to start coming more often!

“It’s a great track and it’s been a wonderful atmosphere and we’ve had a very good day. 

“We have an wonderful team of horses and the team at home have put a lot of work in to put us in this position.

“I’m looking forward to Sandown.”

Skelton and Nicholls? Not so much.