WILLIE'S AYR ARMY

Mullins sends 31 contenders to Scots Grand National meeting as he bids to win UK jumps title

- CRAIG SWAN

WILLIE MULLINS has lined up a staggering 31-strong army to send to Ayr.

The all-conquering Closutton maestro's Grand National success at Aintree with I Am Maximus has slung open the door for him to join Vincent O'Brien in the history books.

Mullins can become just the second Irish trainer to claim the UK jumps championship 70 years after O'Brien secured the prize for a second time.

With the final day at Sandown on Saturday week, he leads nearest challengers Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls in an epic three-way battle.

Mullins has vowed to head for Scotland and set his sights firmly on Ayr's Scottish Grand National meeting - with 31 horses entered at the five-day declaration stage for Saturday's showpiece card.

Confirmed travellers will be decided at the final declaration on Thursday but his numbers look set to be high.

And Mullins also plans to send horses to Perth for next week's three-day meeting at Scone Palace Park as he targets the title.