Andrew Nelis racing

  Paul Nicholls stands on the verge of being crowned champion trainer for the 12th time, following his profitable Aintree. A Grade One double on the first day of the Grand National meeting – with Monmiral and Clan Des Obeaux – and then a Grade Two bumper win for Knappers Hill in the hands of Nicholls’ daughter Megan added up to a highly successful trip north for the yard. It was not seamless, though, because jockeys Harry Cobden and Bryony Frost were both injured in falls on Saturday. “Heading to Aintree with fresh horses made a big difference,” said Nicholls. “The first day of Aintree was absolutely superb, and I was thrilled for Ged Mason and Sir Alex Ferguson (owners who also won with Dan Skelton’s Protektorat) on landing a Grade One treble. “Obviously, Megan winning on Saturday after both my jockeys got hurt, eased the day.” Nicholls is more than £500,000 in front of nearest challenger Skelton, so a 12th British jumps trainers’ title appears almost his. “After Aintree, you’d ha...