Paul Nicholls: I thought we were beat

Paul Nicholls admits he thought he was 'dead and buried' in the trainers' championship after drawing a blank at the Grand National meeting.

No winners at Aintree saw Willie Mullins stretch his lead to over £180,000 in the title race, but a remarkable run of form for Nicholls' stable since then has seen the Ditcheat handler regain the advantage.

Before racing on Tuesday Nicholls was £45,380 ahead of Mullins, but the valuable card at Sandown on Saturday is likely to be pivotal in the title race.

"After Team Ditcheat experienced a rare blank at the Grand National meeting it was understandable that many people were writing off our chances of landing a tenth title," Nicholls wrote in his Betfair blog.

"I don't mind admitting that at that stage I, too, thought we were dead and buried with Willie holding a lead of over £180,000.

"But we kept chipping away last week before ten winners between Friday and Sunday saw us sweeping back into the lead again.

"Saturday's four timer at Ayr highlighted by the success of Vicente in the Scottish Grand National provided one of the most uplifting days of my career.

"Four more winners at Wincanton on my birthday on Sunday gave further impetus to my bid to retain the title.

"It certainly helps that the horses are in such sparkling form at home and on the track as the season comes to the boil."

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With £150,000 up for grabs in the bet365 Gold Cup, the last big handicap of the season could sway things in either Nicholls or Mullins' favour, with the pair having eight entries between them in the race.

"I've entered five in the bet365 Gold Cup on Saturday including Just A Par who won it in such dramatic style a year ago," Nicholls continued.

"This time I'd say our main hope is Southfield Theatre, a proper horse who is on his way back now having had training issues earlier in the season. His was the first name I pencilled in for this race.

"You can put a line through Southfield Theatre's early races and he schooled really well this morning.

"I do tend to feel the pressure on these big days because I hate the idea of letting people down when things don't work out.

"Win or lose we have given it our best shot and if Willie Mullins is crowned champion trainer on Saturday I will be the first to shake his hand and say well done.''