Willie Mulliins to claim 12th title

Willie Mullins will officially be crowned Ireland’s champion jumps trainer trainer for a 12th time as he heads to the final day of the Punchestown festival with an unassailable lead over Gordon Elliott.

Mullins started the five-day festival 521,413 euro ($A839,000) behind his big rival, but trebles on Tuesday and Thursday and a remarkable six-timer on Wednesday put him in front by 424,148 euro.

That significant lead further increased to 485,148 euro after Kemboy justified 11-4 favouritism in the Novice Handicap Chase and Elliott needed the previously unbeaten Samcro to prove his worth in the Champion Hurdle to keep his diminishing hopes of claiming a first title alive.

Samcro departed three flights from home and while Mullins did not manage to claim victory – with Jessica Harrington’s Supasundae coming home in front – he saddled the second, third and fourth home in Wicklow Brave, Bleu Berry and Coquin Mans respectively, to move to a 550,648 euro advantage.