DAN THE MAN

DAN SKELTON was cut to 15-8 (from 11-4) with William Hill to land a first trainers’ title after stretching his lead to rival Willie Mullins to nearly £70,000 yesterday.

- BY DAVID YATES

Skelton began Easter weekend with a cushion of £37,524 in his bid to avenge at the hands of Mullins, who became the first Irish-based handler to seize the British crown since Vincent O’Brien in 1954.

As Mullins, the 18-time champion in his home-land, stayed away from Britain yesterday - he is now 4-11 from 2-7 to mount a successful title defence - Skelton’s nine runners garnered a total of £31,649 to extend his advantage to £69,173.