Nicholls cements title with one two Paul Nicholls cemented his 10th trainers' title by saddling a one-two in the Bet365 Select Hurdle at Sandown with Ptit Zig and Silsol. However, the race completely changed in complexion when at the 11th hour Willie Mullins decided not to run Vroum Vroum Mag, who will now go to Punchestown on Thursday. Sent off the 7-4 favourite, Ptit Zig looked to face a stiff ask as Vaniteux, back over hurdles after falling in the Arkle, streaked clear, but it appeared his stamina gave way and at the final flight things had a dramitcally different feel. The two Nicholls horses battled it out with Sam Twiston-Davies coming out on top of Jack Sherwood on Silsol. Nicholls said: "We never planned to come here today, but he's better going right-handed on better ground and he galloped well at Wincanton with Calipto earlier in the week. "It was a bit of an afterthought but he will got for a race at Auteuil in May and then back there for the French Champion Hurdle. "I fancied him a lot and he's done the job nicely for us." Mullins said: "We came over here to win the championship and we have had a fantastic reception. In the light of the Bet365 Gold Cup we can't win the championship and we are taking Vroum Vroum Mag home and she has a valuable couple of races to run in at Punchestown. "She was only here for the championship and Mr (Rich) Ricci very kindly let me bring her over to run in a race of much less value. Now we will do what we were aiming to do all winter. I will probably get fined - there's no such thing as a free lunch. "We have had a fantastic year. I'm just sorry for punters who came to see Vroum Vroum Mag. But the championship was over and we had to take a different view." Ricci said: "The title is over. We thought with Thistlecrack coming out (of Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown after a setback), there would be no impact on punters because she was declared.There was no impact on ante-post punters who would get their money back. It seems the right decision given were we are with Punchestown. "The whole day is brilliant, but that is the best interests of the horse. She is entered in the three-miler and she has options. That is one of them. I'm sure we will be fined. But it is mathematically over now. We did our best and supported the day." The stewards took a dim view of Vroum Vroum Mag being taken out, fining Mullins 1,000 pounds and ruling he had "shown a wilful disregard for the interests of racegoers and punters". While Mullins - who was left disappointed following a fine of £1,000 by the stewards after he withdrew Vroum Vroum Mag from the Select Hurdle when his title chance had gone - came up short in his quest for a first British trainers' title, he was magnanimous in defeat. He said: "Of course, this makes me more determined to win the title next year. I'm honoured to be in the position I am today. I thank all my owners and team for putting me in this position. They all, to a man, said, Willie, take whatever horse you need to Sandown', even though they would be missing good prize-money at Punchestown. "I think that is fantastic. I didn't expect it and didn't ask them. That was the feeling of my owners and I have to thank them for their generosity. "I think next year it depends on the team we have. You look at football teams - they do go up and down. "Paul has had a fantastic team this year without Grade One stars and if we can keep our Grade One stars and perform at Cheltenham like we have been the last few years, then it's on. "But otherwise, unless you win the National or something, it is difficult. They all have to stay sound and get into next season. "But I would dearly love to come back to Sandown next season with...hopefully a better chance." He added: "Our rivalry starts when the point-to-pointers are first into the winner's enclosure or who is first over to France to buy one. It starts well before we get to the racecourse. "It was amazing that Ruby Walsh worked for both of us over the years and I think that shows the respect we both have for each other. We have never had a cross word. That's down to Ruby's diplomacy!" Willie Mullins expressed his disagreement with the actions of the stewards at Sandown after he was fined £1,000 for withdrawing Vroum Vroum Mag from the bet365 Select Hurdle at Sandown at the 11th hour. As he could no longer mathematically catch Paul Nicholls in the race to be champion trainer, Mullins decided to wait for Punchestown with the mare. After being called in by the stewards he was adjudged to have "shown a wilful disregard for the interests of racegoers and punters". But Mullins said: "I disagree totally, my motives were very genuine, I brought a big team of horses over here and I didn't have to - but it has helped enhance the day and I don't think the stewards took that into account. "The betting public didn't lose out because she was declared to run so they will get their money back, it has not cost them any money by withdrawing her." Speaking immediately after taking his charge out, Mullins said: "We came over here to win the championship and we have had a fantastic reception. In the light of the bet365 Gold Cup (in which Nicholls saddled the runner-up Just A Par and fourth-placed Southfield Theatre) we can't win the championship and we are taking Vroum Vroum Mag home and she has a valuable couple of races to run in at Punchestown. "She was only here for the championship and Mr (Rich) Ricci very kindly let me bring her over to run in a race of much less value. Now we will do what we were aiming to do all winter. I will probably get fined - there's no such thing as a free lunch. "We have had a fantastic year. I'm just sorry for punters who came to see Vroum Vroum Mag. But the championship was over and we had to take a different view."
