Ruby Walsh: Safety in numbers can get Willie Mullins over the line

Sandown is not Willie versus Dan; it's Willie versus the English trainers, because Dan can’t stop him on his own now

Trainers Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins are set for a final day showdown in Sandown. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Sat, 26 Apr, 2025 - 06:00

Ruby Walsh is one of the most successful jump jockeys in racing history and is now a high‑profile analyst and broadcaster.

The British National Hunt season was 364 days this term, or 8,736 hours. Willie Mullins has been the defending champion for the whole duration, but if he is to regain his crown, he will only have led the title race for a maximum of two hours and 20 minutes.

That would require a 1-2-3 in the 2.25pm at Sandown and Dan Skelton to draw a blank in the 1.50pm. Timing is everything in life, but even for the man who has Dublin Airport timed to allow for red lights at the two sets he meets from home to the car park barriers in Terminal 2, this is cutting it fine.