NICHOLLS’ HUNGER NEVER ENDS
PAUL NICHOLLS declared himself “as hungry as ever” as he was crowned champion trainer for the 13th time at Sandown Park yesterday.
And the 60-year-old promptly devoured a 410-1 five-timer on the Esher track’s Jump Finale card – spearheaded by Greaneteen’s repeat victory in the Grade 1 bet365 Celebration Chase.
A success under the nowsidelined Bryony Frost 12 months ago – the pair followed up in the Tingle Creek Chase – Greaneteen teamed up with Ditcheat stable jockey Harry Cobden for a third top-level win at Sandown with a 12-length defeat of Sceau Royal.
“On his day he is very good – that was awesome,” said Nicholls.
“He has won a Tingle Creek and two of these now – he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Harry was really impressed today. He keeps winning and this track suits him.”
Nicholls, who began the National Hunt season’s final day with a £300,000 cushion over title rival Nicky Henderson, saddled Knappers Hill to land the opening bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle before Saint Calvados lifted the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase.
Mcfabulous brought up the foursome with a one-length margin in the Grade 2 Select Hurdle, then Samarrive sprinted off with the 2021-22 season’s final race, the bet365 Handicap Hurdle. “I’m as hungry as ever,” said Nicholls, now with a career total of 3,453 successes.
“I’m no different to how I was 20 years ago. After Christmas the horses weren’t running as well as I’d have liked, but we still ended up with nearly 140 winners and a huge amount of prize money, so we haven’t done too bad.
“I’d love to train 4,000 winners. No one’s done it, and it’s do-able if we keep going the way we are.”