Willie Mullins edges title battle with Gordon Elliott

The perennial champion appeared to have a mountain to climb at the start of the week as he trailed rival Gordon Elliott by a shade over €400,000.

But after having gradually reduced the deficit, Mullins hit the front with a sparkling treble on Friday and headed into Saturday with a €91,295 lead.

And while Elliott gave himself hope as Apple's Jade ran out a brilliant winner of the Mares Champion Hurdle, Mullins saddled the second, third, fourth and fifth, which meant he still went into the AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle with a healthy advantage of €66,495.

Elliott badly needed Mega Fortue to deliver, but instead it was Mullins who effectively sealed the title with 2-1 favourite Bapaume, ridden by Ruby Walsh.

That victory took Mullins' lead to €130,495 and while it was still mathematically possible for Elliott to claim the championship, his faint hopes were dashed after Space Cadet failed to make an impact in the three-mile handicap chase.

Mullins put a seal on his championship victory as Open Eagle claimed the lucrative two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle with 20-1 shot Open Eagle to eventually saw off Elliott by €199,495.

"I didn't think it was possible for us to win, particularly when a few of the early photo-finishes went against us this week," said the Closutton handler.

"It's fantastic to win and a big thank you to all the team at home and all my owners.

"It's been a funny season. It hasn't been that enjoyable and I'm glad it's over.

"Gordon is a great competitor. He's fantastic and has been a gentleman the whole way through."

After having led for much of the season, Elliott admitted defeat was tough to take, even if Apple's Jade's victory meant he matched the record previously set by Mullins for the number of winners trained in a season.

He said: "It's a bit heartbreaking. We've led from day one of the season, but to be in the same sentence as Willie Mullins is brilliant.

"Hopefully we'll do it one year. I'm still only 39 and hopefully I'll be around for another few years.

"We've equalled Willie's record of 193 winners in a season. I said coming here that if I could equal that it would be something.

"Of course I wanted to win (the trainer's championship), but at least that is something good.

"I'll keep my head up and enjoy it."

Gigginstown House Stud were crowned champion owners.

Michael O'Leary's operation withdrew around 60 horses from the Mullins yard in the autumn after a dispute over training fees, with Elliott the chief beneficiary.

The Ryanair Supremo paid tribute to both trainers after a compelling duel.

"I think it's been a great battle between two master trainers," he told At The Races.

"Willie's performed heroics this year. He lost my horses back in September and he's still champion trainer.

"It just goes to show the depth of the talent that he has down there and Gordon has come on in leaps and bounds.

"Gordon has won a lot of the handicap races, Willie's won most of the Graded races and that's the difference.

"I think the competition between Willie and Gordon is good, it's certainly lit up the backend of the jumps season.

"I've no doubt at some point in time Gordon will become champion trainer, but Willie is going to be a mighty mountain to move over.

"Competition is good for the industry."

Asked about the prospect of having horses with Mullins again, O'Leary added: "If we could reach an agreement on training fees I'd be back there tomorrow, but that's in the past.

"I would hope we'll have horses with Willie at some stage in the future, I don't see any reason why not. It was really only over fees, there was no other issues."

Ruby Walsh is the champion National Hunt jockey, while Rachael Blackmore is champion conditional.

After riding four winners in two days, Patrick Mullins closed the gap on Jamie Codd to just one in the race to be crowned champion amateur.

But with both riders out of luck in the bumper, Codd was confirmed as the winner.