'Simply extraordinary'
Horse & Hound|May 02, 2024
Willie Mullins punches out on a remarkable season as the first Irish trainer in 70 years to win the British championship title - just one highlight of an epic season finale
JENNIFER DONALD
'Simply extraordinary'

bet365 Finale Meeting, Sandown Park, Surrey

AN outpouring of goodwill swept over Sandown as "genius" trainer Willie Mullins was hailed a true champion, when sealing victory in the British trainers' championship.

The Closutton handler's audacious heist in the last gasps of a remarkable season took the title race right to the wire, and it was El Fabiolo's second-place finish in the Celebration Chase (see "Race of the week", p80) that sealed the deal. But the team went on to score a tremendous double with Minella Cocooner (Danny Mullins) in the bet365 Gold Cup and Impaire Et Passe (Paul Townend) in the Grade Two bet365 Select Hurdle during a vintage season finale.

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