Andrew Balding and Aidan O'Brien are going toe-to-toe in the race to be crowned champion trainer.
Balding fired in four winners at Newmarket and York last weekend to nose ahead in the standings, just one week before the most defining racecard in the calendar - British Champions Day.
There is almost £4m up for grabs across a stellar seven-race card; both Balding and O'Brien well represented.
Although Balding held his advantage at the top of the standings, notable successes for Darkness Falls and Drumbeat in the Dewhurst and Zetland respectively saw O'Brien stay within striking distance of his rival.
The Ballydoyle maestro has been crowned champion trainer in each of the last two seasons and has an impeccable string of horses heading to Ascot on Saturday.
Scandinavia will unfortunately miss the Long Distance Cup, however, Gstaad and Constitution River are involved in the two most lucrative races ran all day long. Should both win, then more than £1.3m will be added to O'Brien's prize money haul.
While Billy Loughnane will be officially crowned champion jockey on British Champions Day, the trainers' title actually runs up until the end of the year. The Futurity Stakes and the November Handicap take place over the next few weeks and are big enough to have an effect on the standings, but events at Ascot will likely dictate where the championship ends up.
UK Flat Trainers' Championship betting odds
(Odds will display when market is available)
UK Flat Trainers' Championship standings
Position | Trainer | Prize Money |
1. | Andrew Balding | £8,743,302 |
2. | Aidan O'Brien | £8,658,663 |
