Paul Nicholls in pole position to retain Trainers’ Title

Paul Nicholls is 4-7 favourite with Coral to retain the NH Trainers’ title, with rival Willie Mullins 5-4 to win a first British crown, ahead of tomorrow’s season climax at Sandown.

“With Paul Nicholls having regained the lead at Ayr last weekend, this thrilling title race was always going down to the wire, to be decided by Sandown’s richly-endowed card, and both Nicholls and Willie Mullins have shown their intent by sending plenty of runners out on the last day of the season,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

“There’s still all to play for, but Nicholls has gone from being the 5-1 outsider to odds-on favourite since his Coral Scottish Grand National triumph, and the odds suggest Mullins – as short as 1-10 last weekend – may just fall short as he bids to land an historic first UK title,” added Stevens.

“Whatever happens both trainers should be applauded for their efforts, as the last few weeks have added greatly to the jumps season, and ensured punters have seen some top class horses in action,” concluded Stevens.

**NH Trainers’ Championship

4-7 Paul Nicholls, 5-4 Willie Mullins,

*CHAMPION JOHNSON JUST 4-1 TO OVERTAKE AP McCOY’S CAREER TOTAL OF WINNERS

Ahead of his coronation as champion jockey for the first time on Saturday, Richard Johnson is just 4-1 with Coral to go on and surpass AP McCoy’s career total of 4,358 winners.  Johnson, who passed 3,000 career winners earlier this year, is 2-1 to reach the 4,000 mark, and 10-1 to beat McCoy’s seasonal record of 289 winners at some point in the future.

“During his career, it seemed AP McCoy had set records that would never be threatened, but incredibly just one season into his retirement, we are seeing AP-like totals from Richard Johnson, and having made it clear one title is not enough, the new champion is far from long odds to chase down McCoy’s numbers,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

**Richard Johnson career specials