text: Mullins and Nicholls set for big showdown at Sandown - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk
  Mullins and Nicholls set for big showdown at Sandown
  Willie's choice: Un De Sceaux is Mullins' pick for £71,000 prize
  https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/racing/mullins-and-nicholls-set-for-big-showdown-at-sandown-34649114.html
  https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/incoming/article34648852.ece/a20ba/AUTOCROP/h342/ages-465765468.jpg
  After trading blows yesterday, Mullins eventually lost ground in the quest to plunder a landmark triumph in the British title race. He ended the day £48,667 behind Nicholls despite a first and second at Perth for Townshend and Tennis Cap that at one stage had the deficit down to £39,340.
  Again, Nicholls has a numerically stronger delegation today, with four Chepstow runners to Mullins's sole Perth candidate, albeit the Paul Townend-ridden Rolly Baby has a chance to win the largest pot in a handicap chase worth £9,097 to the winner.
  In truth, this week has been all about damage limitation for Mullins. If he is to thwart Nicholls' bid for a 10th title, tomorrow's £485,000 Bet365 Gold Cup card at Sandown was always going to be crucial.
  The Closutton genius had raised the possibility of saddling Douvan or Vautour in the Grade One Celebration Chase, but in the end he has opted to give Un De Sceaux a chance of plundering the £71,187 prize.