McCoy & Nicholls take UK titles Paul Nicholls picked up his jump trainers' championship trophy at Sandown on the back of a big-race double. The master of Ditcheat capped a fine season by winning the two big races with Tidal Bay and Sanctuaire at the end of a month which saw him land the John Smith's Grand National for the first time with Neptune Collonges. The irrepressible Big Buck's and the ever-popular Kauto Star were among the other highlights for the Nicholls team. Tony McCoy was crowned champion jump jockey for a 17th time and was on duty at Punchestown for his main retainer JP McManus, who took the owners' prize. McCoy's achievement was marked by a presentation at the Co Kildare venue and he reflected on a season that saw him win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Sychronised before partnering that horse as he suffered a fatal injury at Aintree. "It's been a great season. We had a lot of highs and a few lows as well," he said. "Unfortunately, with jump racing, that's the way it goes and I tend to look at the highs more than the lows. "It's been a great season and the only disappointing thing about it is that it ends today - tomorrow it's back to zero and, as far as I'm concerned, you're no longer champion jockey so you've got to go and try to earn it again. "My mum and dad have a lot to do with my success but I work for great people and I've always been lucky to work for great people, right from Billy Rock to Jim Bolger, Toby Balding, Martin Pipe and obviously now for the McManus family. "JP and Noreen are great people. They are great to work with and they make my job very enjoyable. "Obviously the majority of the horses are trained by Jonjo. He's a great man to show you the ups and downs and the brighter side of life - he saw the tough sides of it in every aspect. "I'm lucky I work for great people and that makes the job so much easier. "I want to be champion jockey again. God willing, if I stay in one piece and I'm lucky enough to stay champion jockey once again, I would like to ride 4,000 winners . "As a jump jockey, you take every day as it comes though, and hopefully I'll keep in one piece and hopefully keep winning - that's what its all about." Henry Brooke, attached to Donald McCain's stable, was top conditional jockey.
