Paul Nicholls faces a big challenge if he's to win another title - but you can bet he'll be up for it

Sometimes you will read a statistic that at first glance you can't believe is true. Did you know it's more likely to snow at Easter than Christmas in the UK? (Sorry to depress you just as it's starting to get lighter in the evenings.) And here's a stat that amazed me: Pic D'Orhy's success in last Saturday's Ascot Chase was Paul Nicholls' first Grade 1 in a year.

It's extraordinary to think that the man who trained Denman, Kauto Star, Master Minded and Big Buck's has suffered such a drought, even allowing for the fact Willie Mullins has made opportunities scarce for British trainers in Cheltenham Festival Grade 1s. Only two seasons ago Nicholls saddled six Grade 1 winners – including two at the festival – and claimed the British trainers' title for the 14th time eased down, nearly £1 million clear of Nicky Henderson.

Pic D'Orhy: ended an unusual wait for Paul Nicholls to have a Grade 1 winner againCredit: Getty Images

However, in 2023-24 he finished third, behind Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton, and this season has more than £600,000 to make up on the title leader Skelton.