Willie Mullins has become the first Irishman in 70 years to win the British jump trainers’ championship.

He held off rivals Dan Skelton, who finished second, and defending champion Paul Nicholls following the season finale at Sandown.

Mullins’ 4-6 favourite El Fabiolo finished second in the Celebration Chase, four lengths behind Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon, but it was enough to confirm the title.

His stable’s Minella Cocooner, ridden by nephew Danny Mullins, came in at 17-2 in the Bet365 Gold Cup to cap a wonderful season.

“It’s something different,” Willie Mullins told ITV. “You hope to win the Irish championship. You never dream of winning the British one.”

He added: “We have a tremendous stable of horses at the moment. Very lucky to have them.”