Willie Mullins will look to clinch the British jump trainers’ championship at Sandown on Saturday – and become the first Irishman to do so in 70 years.
The legendary Vincent O’Brien was the only other Ireland-based trainer to achieve the feat, winning for a second time in 1954.
Dan Skelton and 14-time champion Paul Nicholls are the nearest challengers to Mullins but look unlikely to overhaul him.
Harry Cobden will be officially crowned champion jockey after sealing victory over Sean Bowen on Friday.
Mullins has several runners at Sandown’s jump finale meeting which marks the end of the season, including El Fabiolo in the Celebration Chase, where Jonbon is among opponents.
“It’s done but just not dusted yet, but I’d be very proud of everyone here in Closutton if we can achieve this, and our owners too,” Mullins told a Great British Racing news conference.
“Vincent was a legend of legends in racing and to have your name up against him is something you could never dream of, it’s just extraordinary.
“I was lucky enough to have met him once or twice but I never imagined I could be as good as him or anything like that.”
While Irish champion Mullins has a fraction of the British winners secured by Skelton and Nicholls, the title is decided on prize money and he has bagged many of the biggest prizes.
Kitty’s Light, fifth in the Grand National earlier in the month, will bid for a second consecutive win in the Bet365 Gold Cup and provide another emotional triumph for Welsh trainer Christian Williams, whose young daughter Betsy has leukaemia.
The Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown is the highlight of the Irish Champions Festival, attracting top contenders and excitement
The St Leger 2024 will take place at Doncaster on Saturday at 3:40pm as part of the St. Leger Festival day three. This isthe final Cl
It’s shaping up to be an exciting Saturday of racing, with the final British Classic of the season taking centre stage at Doncaster
Top Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to win the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Classic for the first time in his glitterin