Alcester‑based trainer Dan Skelton finally sealed the season‑ending trainers’ championship after the maths confirmed he could no longer be overtaken. After two successive campaigns where Willie Mullins edged him out on the final day, Skelton surged from the start of the year and became the first trainer to eclipse £4 million in prize‑money, finishing with £4,762,920 truly.

His tally swelled during a brilliant Grand National Festival, where Captain Cody repeated his Aintree triumph and Skelton’s stable secured six Grade One victories with Grey Dawning, Mirabad and Bossman Jack. Skelton praised his staff and owners, saying their consistency made the achievement possible, while Mullins, trailing by £2,094,034, sent a congratulatory note after his own Grand National win with I Am Maximus.

With Mullins reduced to a single runner in the closing two weekends – Kim Muir second on Road To Home at both the Coral Grand National and the bet365 Gold Cup – Skelton entered the Sandown Park ceremony on April 25 unchallenged. The trophy presentation will crown a season that finally broke the pattern of near‑misses and cements his status among the sport’s elite.