Paul Nicholls captures 11th crown and has Martin Pipe record firmly in sight

Paul Nicholls was crowned champion trainer for the 11th time when the jumps season drew to a close at Sandown on Saturday and the ambitious 57-year-old is far from finished.

Nicholls, who recently became only the third man to train 3,000 jumps winners, won his first title in 2005-06, but has had to settle for second behind Nicky Henderson in the last two seasons.

However, he has fought back this term when highlights have included Frodon's Ryanair Chase success at the Cheltenham Festival and Clan Des Obeaux's triumph in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

The master of Ditcheat now has old-rival Martin Pipe's record of 15 in his sights.

He said: "It's been an amazing season as I never believed we'd be able to win it. I thought we'd go really well, but if I'd have said in the autumn Frodon would win at the festival and Clan would win the King George you'd have laughed at me.

"My main aim at the start of the season was to get to 3,000 winners, that's what we wanted. It probably does mean more to win the title now and I think it's one of our greatest achievements, having had a couple of years rebuilding."

As for Pipe's record, Nicholls, who took time to praise Sam Twiston-Davies's attitude and response to no longer being the stable's number-one jockey, said: "Who knows? Me and [head lad] Clifford Baker have got it in our sights – we'd love 15 championships and 4,000 winners, but you can't just do this job for that."

In the saddle, Richard Johnson captured his fourth Stobart-sponsored champion jockeys' title – the only rider since 1995 to win it not named Sir Anthony McCoy.

Richard Johnson (left) accepts his honour off former colleague Noel FehilyCredit: Getty Images

Johnson, who rode his 200th winner of the season at Perth on Friday, has dominated since McCoy's retirement four years ago and is determined to secure a fifth championship next season.

It is unlikely Bryony Frost will figure in the battle for that, but jump racing's golden girl joins McCoy and Johnson on the honours list as conditional champion.

Frost, who partnered Frodon to that memorable festival victory, only returned to action at Sandown on Saturday after missing Aintree's Grand National meeting with a collarbone injury.

Frodon's owner Paul Vogt was among the first to pay tribute to Frost, saying: "They are poetry in motion, Frodon and Bryony. They just gel and the Ryanair win hasn't sunk in yet.

"I keep watching it and keep thing he's beaten and will never win. It honestly hasn't sunk in, the crowd, the enormity of it. It was once-in-a-lifetime stuff."

The charismatic Frost added: "Racing has ups and downs and darker and lighter days, and I've run into a few injuries this season, which has been frustrating, but it makes the championship more of an achievement in my head.

"To be champion conditional wasn't in my mind at all at the start of the season. All I want to do is ride my best for my horses.

"When I broke this collarbone, then I thought about the title and that I didn't want to be caught! It hasn't been in my mind and I think if you start thinking about it, it pressures you and affects your riding."

JP McManus: champion owner againCredit: Edward Whitaker

Hercule Poirot was not needed to unearth Frost's highlight of the season.

"Frodon is a memory I'll never forget and I think that's for everyone," she continued. "He showcases what determination and living is; he wants to jump and gallop and compete. He gives me the best kick out of life and Cheltenham was an incredible day, magical. You don't dream about days like that.

"I'll keep improving and am nowhere near the top of my level and I never will be, so I'll keep pushing myself harder. You can improve everything; the mental side, fitness, your sharpness on the track."

Tiger Roll, who made modern-day history with a successive Grand National victory this month, earned the honour of Racing Post jumps horse of the year, a prize he also took in 2018.

2018-19 jumps roll of honour

Champion trainer
Paul Nicholls

Champion jockey
Richard Johnson

Champion conditional
Bryony Frost

Champion owner
JP McManus

Racing Post jumps horse of the year
Tiger Roll

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