Mullins 1/8 to make it 14 titles in succession Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott dominated last month’s Cheltenham Festival with both saddling seven winners and the pair will engage battle once again whenever the new Irish National Hunt season eventually gets underway. Elliott has pushed Mullins all the way in the Trainers’ Championship for the last number of years and the master of Cullentra House is priced up at 9/2 with Paddy Power and Betfair to finally make the breakthrough in the 2020/21 campaign. Not surprisingly Mullins has been installed the 1/8 favourite as he bids to land the title for a 14th successive season. Paul Townend, who first landed the National Hunt Jockeys’ Championship all of nine years ago, is also at short odds as he seeks to make it three in a row after retaining his crown last season. The 29-year-old is the red-hot 1/3 favourite while Davy Russell, who has also won the title three times in the past, is next in the betting at 7/2. Paddy Power and Betfair bet: Champion NH Trainer: 1/8 Willie Mullins, 9/2 Gordon Elliott, 16 Henry de Bromhead, 40 Joseph O’Brien, 66 Jessica Harrington, Noel Meade. Champion NH Jockey: 1/5 Paul Townend, 7/2 Davy Russell, 12 Rachael Blackmore, 25 Jack Kennedy, 33 Danny Mullins, 50 Robbie Power, 66 Sean Flanagan, Mark Walsh. Paddy Power’s spokesman Paul Binfield commented, “Davy interrupted usual service when scoring in 2017/18, but generally if you have the support of Willie Mullins, you win it. Ruby Walsh was dominant for four seasons before that and Paul Townend’s now chasing a very likely hat-trick.” Betfair’s Head of Racing PR Barry Orr held out some hope of a changing of the guard in the training ranks saying, “Gordon Elliott is the only viable alternative to Willie Mullins in the trainers betting and at 9/2 there may prove to be some juice in his price in what is effectively a match bet’’ The UK National Hunt Champion Trainer and Jockey markets are also headed by odds-on shots with Nicky Henderson and Richard Johnson strongly favoured. Henderson and Paul Nicholls have monopolised the trainers’ title between them for the past 15 years, while newly crowned champion jockey Brian Hughes is the obvious threat to Johnson. Paddy Power and Betfair bet: UK Champion NH Trainer: 2/5 Nicky Henderson, 6/4 Paul Nicholls, 25 Dan Skelton, Colin Tizzard, 50 Philip Hobbs, Alan King, 90 Nigel Twiston-Davies. UK Champion NH Jockey: 2/5 Richard Johnson, 2 Brian Hughes, 16 Harry Skelton, 20 Sam Twiston-Davies, 33 Harry Cobden, Aidan Coleman, 50 Nico De Boinville. Binfield said, “Nicky wrestled the title from the grasp of his great friend and rival Paul last season and while the Irish trainers dominated Cheltenham, perhaps the former’s four successes compared to Paul’s sole victory is some indication of how next season might unravel.” He expects a protracted tussle between the clear market leaders in the jockeys’ title race adding: “Richard was unfortunate in getting injured last season and then launched a heroic effort to secure a straight fifth title. However, even before he was injured we thought Brian was the more likely winner and with the support he receives in the North, we could be in for another battle royale.” Orr has an interesting angle on the UK Flat Trainers Championship given the uncertainty on restriction of movement due to the coronavirus. Paddy Power and Befair bet: 8/15 John Gosden, 13/10 Aidan O’Brien, 25 Mark Johnston. “The UK Flat Trainers Title betting is effectively another match with John Gosden and Aidan O’Brien at 8/15 and 13/10 respectively,” said Orr before adding, “With the current situation this market is somewhat in flux but it will definitely spice up once we get some clarity of movement of people and horses being allowed to travel from their country of residence. With that in mind Johnny G could be the best 8/15 chance of all time.” Racing won't take place until at least next month after the government yesterday extended the current COVID-19 restrictions including cancelling all sporting events up to May 5. When racing does resume, HRI have already announced their intention to concentrate on the Flat for the first month.
