Nicholls Crowned Champion

Paul Nicholls was a proud man at Sandown today after being crowned champion jumps trainer for the first time.

The Ditcheat handler deposed Martin Pipe, who has stunned the racing world by announcing his retirement, with Philip Hobbs edging out Pipe to take second.

'It's only just started to sink in with receiving this trophy, I can't really believe it. There are too many people to thank, it's just amazing, we have great horses and we have had a great season,' he said.

'It has taken a while to get a team as good as we have now got together. But we have got good owners who have all stayed loyal to me.

'Hopefully next season can be just as good, although it won't be easy.

'We've got plenty of good novice chasers, hopefully Star De Mohaison could be a Gold Cup horse and Azertyuiop will be back as well.'

But Nicholls, by his standards, will be having a slow start to the new season, which starts tomorrow.

'I won't have many to run in the summer and am expecting a slow start but I can't wait for October to get the proper horses going again,' he explained.

'Let's keep our fingers crossed things turn out as good as this season when luckily the horses have run well all year.'

Nicholls also paid tribute to Pipe, who for so long has dominated the jumping scene.

'My first recollections of Martin are that his horses were winning because they were so incredibly fit, while allied to that is the fact that he knew how to run them in the right races,' he said.

'He has gone out at the top and has left young David (Pipe, son) to take over with much to look forward to.'

(C) PA Sport