Nicholls gears up for title run-in Paul Nicholls has admitted he thought his chance of winning this season's British trainers' championship were "dead and buried" after Aintree. With Willie Mullins enjoying a great week on Merseyside while the Ditcheat handler drew a blank, the title looked to be heading to Ireland for the first time since the 1950s. However, a Scottish National win through Vicente, part of a four-timer last Saturday, put Nicholls back in the driving seat. ''They say a week is a long time in politics. I suspect this week will feel even longer for myself and Willie Mullins as our duel for the trainers' championship reaches its climax at Sandown on Saturday," Nicholls told Betfair. "After Team Ditcheat experienced a rare blank at the Grand National meeting, it was understandable that many people were writing off our chances of landing a 10th title. "I don't mind admitting that at that stage I, too, thought we were dead and buried with Willie holding a lead of over £180,000. "But we kept chipping away last week before 10 winners between Friday and Sunday saw us sweeping back into the lead again. "Saturday's four-timer at Ayr highlighted by the success of Vicente in the Scottish Grand National provided one of the most uplifting days of my career. "Four more winners at Wincanton on my birthday on Sunday gave further impetus to my bid to retain the title. "It certainly helps that the horses are in such sparkling form at home and on the track as the season comes to the boil. "I plan to have runners every day this week before a showdown at Sandown on the final day of the season which seems to have caught the imagination of the public. "I've made lots of entries at Sandown and will finalise plans nearer the weekend. "Having reached this point with a lead of just over £45,000, I am obviously going to fire as many shots as I can."
