Paul Nicholls sparks betting on Nicky Henderson to be Champion Trainer

Paul Nicholls has today sparked a rush of bets on Nicky Henderson to win the Jump Trainers’ Championship with Coral cutting Henderson’s odds to 12/1 from 16/1.

Paul Nicholls is quoted in today’s Racing Post saying that he thinks Nicky Henderson, rather than Colin Tizzard, may pose the biggest challenge to his bid to retain the National Hunt Trainers’ Title, and punters have this morning acted on his words by rushing to back Henderson with Coral, who were offering the top price in the industry at 16/1.

“Paul Nicholls has effectively tipped up Nicky Henderson as the value bet for the Jump Trainers’ title and punters have wasted no time in acting on his comments by backing Henderson this morning,” said Simon Clare, Coral Spokesman.

On the subject of this year’s Jump Trainers’ Championship, Paul Nicholls said in the Racing Post, “We’re £300,000 in front of Colin, but one big race at Cheltenham and that’s wiped out. But I think Nicky is a bigger danger than everybody thinks.

“Nicky’s got an awesome team to run if you think of Altior and his Champion Hurdle horses. I think Colin’s relying on one race [the Gold Cup] and those good horses performing.”

Colin Tizzard remains the second favourite for the title but has been eased to 7/2 from 3/1, while Paul Nicholls remains the red-hot favourite at 1/6.

** National Hunt Trainer’s Title Betting

1-6 Paul Nicholls, 7-2 Colin Tizzard (from 3-1), 12 Nicky Henderson (from 16), 33 Willie Mullins