Paul Nicholls: Dominant Cheltenham will seal trainers’ title for Willie Mullins

Paul Nicholls has conceded it would be near impossible to claim a ninth National Hunt Trainers’ Championship should Willie Mullins dominate at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Despite sitting some £200,000 clear of nearest rival Philip Hobbs at the top of the table and more than £800,000 ahead of Mullins, the Ditcheat handler feels retaining his title could be too big an ask if his Irish counterpart enjoys the success expected at the four-day meeting next month.

He said: “We’ve had a bit of a slow start, but then if I’ve had a slow start everybody must have had a slow start as I’m still £200,000 in front.