The 2024 National Hunt Trainers’ Championship is reaching a remarkable conclusion, with three of horse racing’s top trainers battling it out to be crowned champion. After I Am Maximus’ win in the Grand National at Aintree and Macdermott taking the Scottish equivalent, it is Willie Mullins who leads the way at the top of the National Hunt Trainers’ Championship betting market and the prize money table. He’s £155,000 clear of Dan Skelton in second, with Paul Nicholls further back in third.

National Hunt Trainers’ Championship Odds

Most horse racing betting sites think Willie Mullins is likely to scoop up both the Irish and British Trainers’ Championship this year, if the current odds are anything to go by, but with Grade 1s and big handicaps like the Scottish Grand National still yet to run, there is plenty of time for the chasing two to turn the tables.

National Hunt Trainers’ Championship Prize Money Table

There could be a big swing in the race for the title this Saturday, when the Celebration Chase and Bet365 Gold Cup take place at Sandown. Around £245,000 should be available to the winner of those race on the 27^th April. Because of that, Willie Mullins has set his sights on those races to preserve his spot at the top of the rankings. With multiple entries expected in those races, including the possible inclusion of El Fabiolo, it’s easy to see why he is favourite with UK betting apps to pick up the UK Trainers’ Championship for the first time.

National Hunt Trainers’ Championship 2024 Free Bets

The National Hunt Trainers' Championship market could be a great one for placing free bets on from UK betting sites. Rather than the outcome being determined by one race, you’re betting on a futures market, which culminates on the 27^th April, giving you a longer run for your money. Check out the best betting offers from UK online bookmakers currently available.

Can Willie Mullins Win Both Trainers’ Championships?

Willie Mullins looks to have the Irish Trainers’ Championship wrapped up for the 18^th time. Gordon Elliot would need to do something out of the ordinary over the coming weeks to wrest the title from Mullins. And following the Scottish Grand National he looks to have the British Trainers’ Championship wrapped up as well.

Mullins currently leads the championship by around £155,000, remarkable not only because his horses primarily run in Ireland, but because he has only had 23 winners in Britain this season. That means the average winner for him in the UK this season has picked up over £131,000 in prize money.

This pattern of big race dominance looks set to continue, with the appearance of El Fabiolo in the Celebration Chase at Sandown, which is worth around £150,000 to the winner. A wins in that race would surely give him an unassailable lead.

Odds with Betfred TBC

Can Dan Skelton Win His 1st Trainers’ Championship?

Still currently second favourite in the National Hunt Trainers’ Championship market with UK betting sites, Dan Skelton is attempting to pick up his first Trainers’ title. Having previously spent nine years working in Paul Nicholls’ yard, he will have seen first-hand how a title-winning campaign needs to be run, and he looks as though making the most of the horses you have is one thing he has learnt.

While he might not have the firepower of other stables, his ability to get them ready for the day looks unmatched in the UK at the moment. Handicap hurdles look to be his forte, but whether there are enough valuable ones left for him to be able to pick up the title remains to be seen.

One thing we do know is that he won’t be afraid to run his horses to chase the title. He has had 748 runners in the UK this season, more than Nicholls (521) and Mullins (129) combined.

Back Dan Skelton to win the Trainers' Championship at odds TBC with Coral

Can Paul Nicholls win a 15^th British Title?

Sitting third in the standings despite having had the most winners this season, Paul Nicholls looks set to lose out on the Trainers’ Championship for the first time since 2020, according to the UK bookmakers. If he does, it will be the first time since 2005 the title hasn't been won by either Nicholls or his main adversary Nicky Henderson.

Winning the big Saturday handicaps has been Nicholls’ main strength over the last few seasons. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him take the Bet365 Gold Cup, as well as a few other big pots, to make that £240,000 gap to the top spot disappear. Big odds could look generous after this weekend.

Back Paul Nicholls to win the Trainers' Championship at odds TBC with bet365