Nicholls And Thornton Come Out On Top Paul Nicholls plundered the Racing Post trophy for top trainer at the Cheltenham Festival courtesy of four winners, with his quest for the title sealed when Kauto Star landed the totesport Gold Cup.However, the battle for top rider went right down to the wire, with Robert Thornton bagging the accolade thanks to a fourth and decisive winner on Andreas - a horse trained by Nicholls.Thornton came in for what proved a plum spare when Sam Thomas was asked to ride Sporazene in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase, with Nicholls' stable jockey Ruby Walsh electing to ride Saintsaire.Walsh had a chance of levelling the score through Ouninpohja in the concluding Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle, but fell agonisingly short when his mount finished runner-up to Pedrobob.Thornton said: 'It's an amazing feeling to have had four winners and won the title. Andreas travelled like a dream and Katchit went like an aeroplane in the Triumph.'Thornton's other winners were on My Way De Solzen in the Arkle and Voy Por Ustedes in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.Nicholls was upset he could not ensure Walsh won the top jockey award and said: 'I'm gutted for Ruby, but for myself it's just fantastic to have won four such good races. It's been a great week all round.'(C) PA Sport
