'Dan will be chasing hard next year' - Nicholls reflects on 'tough' campaign

Paul Nicholls may be on the cusp of being crowned champion jumps trainer for the 13th time but has spoken of enduring a tough season and has already nominated former protege Dan Skelton as the main danger to dethrone him next season.

Nicholls is more than £250,000 in front of principal rival Nicky Henderson in the final week of the campaign, having amassed more than £2.6 million in prize-money, a tally expected to be enough to move him to within two of Martin Pipe's record of 15 title triumphs when the season ends at Sandown on Saturday.

Despite having only two of the top 20 jumps performers in Britain based on RPRs, Clan Des Obeaux and Greaneteen, Nicholls has managed to stay clear of his rivals a year on from landing the title last season.