Bookies give up and pay out as Willie Mullins enters horses everywhere in Britain including 25 at Sandown
BOOKIES have given up and paid out after Willie Mullins entered horses everywhere in Britain – including 25 at Sandown.
The all-conquering Irish trainer has one hand and four fingers on the British champion jumps’ trainer title.
Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and Boylesports have all paid out on Mullins – who holds a £180,000 lead over Dan Skelton – winning his first UK crown.
And it looks like he will secure it in style with an all-out assault on British races this week.
Headlining the squad he will send over is the 25 entries he has made for the big jumps season finale on Saturday.
The likes of Arkle hero Gaelic Warrior and former Champion Chase winner El Fabiolo headline the possible entries.
And even if not all of them run, it means a star-studded Mullins cast will head to the Surrey track.
Gaelic Warrior and El Fabiolo are 9-2 and 10-11 respectively for the Grade 1 bet365 Celebration Chase, where they are likely to come up against Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon.
In the 2.25pm race, the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase, Mullins has entered Easy Game, Bachasson, James Du Berlais, Asterion Forlonge and Appreciate It.
The latter is also in the Celebration Chase with Gaelic Warrior and El Fabiolo, alongside Saint Sam and Dysart Dynamo.
Irish Grand National third Minella Cocooner is 10-1 for the big race on the day, the bet365 Gold Cup.
While Nick Rockett, who finished seventh in the same race, is 8-1 and Aime Desjy 50-1.
Among the other eyecatching entries who may line up are Impaire Et Passe and Sir Gerhard in the Grade 2 Select Hurdle.
While Fairyhouse Grade 2 winner Captain Cody is among five entered in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle.
We’ll know for sure which of Mullins’ runners will be at Sandown when declarations are made at 10am on Thursday morning.
He also has some forecast odds-on shots, including Dr Eggman at Perth and Daddy Long Legs at Ludlow.
A few of his top horses, including Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs and monstrous Gallaghers Novices’ Hurdle sensation Ballyburn will be held back for next week’s Punchestown Festival.
But in Britain bookies think there’s no chance Skelton and Paul Nicholls beat Mullins to the trainers’ title.
Mullins was 1-4 to win before his 4,462-1 four-timer at Ayr last weekend.
And now bookies have already settled the market days early.
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