- Willie Mullins to be crowned champion trainer at Sandown final
- Man City overtake United to the Premier League title on the final day of 2012
Standing in front of a camera on the day the titles are decided requires cruelty. There is always the possibility of two stories, but one will immediately be abandoned.
I will give you an example. In May 2012, I featured the decisive afternoon in the Premier League, when Manchester City and Manchester United were locked in an epic battle for the trophy. I can still recite every line of Martin Tyler’s commentary on Sergio Aguero’s famous winning goal against QPR and still remember the minute details of the day.
But United at Sunderland? I know they won 1-0, but that’s it.
Champions do things that stick in your memory. The finalists disappear into the void and their contribution to the drama is just a footnote.
On Saturday at Sandown I will face the conclusion of another titanic battle. We anticipate that Willie Mullins will become Champion Trainer, overcoming the challenge of Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls, and what an incredible achievement that will be.
Willie Mullins (R) will be crowned champion trainer at the final Sandown show jumping meeting
Manchester City overtook Man United to the Premier League title on the final day of 2012.
This has been Mullins’ winter. The jumps season unfolded in fits and starts, with small fields and an unusual Cheltenham causing much debate. Changes need to happen, especially at the Festival. However, we must recognize that Mullins has blessed us.
April has been buoyed by his historic pursuit of the trainers’ gong and the same has happened in the race to be crowned Champion Jockey. Harry Cobden, with 163 victories, has surpassed his great teammate Sean Bowen, who has 157 but ran out of time.
Cobden, like City 12 years ago, is a worthy winner. I have made clear many times in these pages my admiration for him. But Bowen will not be like United on that fateful day. I won’t forget what the unsung hero of this National Hunt season has done for racing.
When he presents the trophies later, Sean will receive due recognition. Had luck been on his side, there is every reason to believe he would have been the man to take the trophy instead of watching from the shadows.
How ruinous that injury has been for him after a fall on Boxing Day.
With a lead of 30, Bowen spent six weeks waiting for his knee to heal and Cobden pounced. Even when hope seemed to have faded, Sean kept fighting and has been shooting winners in Perth in recent days to keep the pressure on.
It’s been tremendous to see him and his brother James come out of their shells and show their personalities. They will be great figures in the coming years.
United won the title 12 months after enduring the heartbreak of the final day of 2012. Why can’t Sean Bowen do the same?
Ed Chamberlin is Sky Bet UK ambassador
