Paul Nicholls: my team for the bet365 Jump Finale at Sandown

Paul Nicholls admits he would be disappointed if he doesn’t eclipse his personal best seasonal prize money total by a ‘good bit’ after assembling a strong team for the bet365 Jump Finale at Sandown Park on Saturday.

With a 14th Jump trainers’ championship already secured, the Ditcheat handler will now bid to topple his current best prize money total of £3,646,511 which was set during the 2007-08 season when having the likes of Kauto Star and Denman at his disposal.

And with less than £100,000 required to better that figure the 61 year old, who saddled a five-timer on bet365 last year, will be going all out to end another memorable campaign, which has seen him send out six Grade One winners, on a high note.

He said: “We had the likes of Kauto Star, Denman, Big Buck’s, Master Minded and Neptune Collonges back then when we set that total and they won plenty of big races that season.

“We’ve got Bravemansgame, who was second in a Gold Cup and who has won a King George VI Chase and Charlie Hall, but collectively across the board there wouldn’t be the number of stars like back then.

“We are almost certain to break it as it is less than £100,000 that we need. We have two or three in almost every race at Sandown and plenty of runners during the week so I would be disappointed if we don’t do it and do it by a good bit.

“We have got a 28 per cent strike rate as well and we are chuffed with that and it reflects well on the whole team. It is nice going into the meeting with no pressure as I’ve already won a 14th trainers’ championship.”

Below, Nicholls outlines his Sandown Saturday runners.

Race: bet365 Celebration Chase

“This is his race. He ran very well in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He would have been second had he not made a bad mistake at the top of the hill. He then stayed on and ran a really fine race. He loves Sandown and he is in good shape and is fresh and well. Hopefully he will go very well. Jonbon is in there but he would have to take his form to the next level. We are top on the ratings and it is a bit different novice chasing compared to this sort of level but he is obviously a good horse.”

Race: bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase

“I’ve had this race in mind for a while for Frodon. Good ground will suit him well. It would be handy if Hewick runs as he would keep the weights down, but he is in at Punchestown on Wednesday. The track and trip will suit him a treat. He ran very well at Kempton the last day and he stayed on very well with 12 stone on his back. I think this is a nice race for him. It is a new trip but he has run well over an extended three and a quarter miles at Cheltenham and at Sandown on that good ground it will suit him well. This isn’t Frodon’s last run as he will have a few runs next season and we will probably start him off in the Badger Beer Chase at Wincanton again. He loves what he is doing and he is working well. He was made keen fresh on Monday morning schooling. I think he will run well.”

Race: bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase

“Enrilo ran okay at Kempton last time but the ground was too soft for him. He has done a lot of graft for this. He has done a lot of schooling and a lot of everything to get him right for this race on Saturday as it has been our target for a long time. There is unfinished business with this lad having won the race two years ago before losing it in the stewards’ room. He has got plenty of ability and he is on a nice mark now. Hopefully this will be the right race for him to go well in.”

Race: bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase

“Switch Hitter wants decent ground and I’m sure he will stay forever. Whether a big field will suit him I don’t know but we will find out and one of the conditional jockeys at the yard will ride him."

Race: bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase

“Broken Halo has won the two military races this season and he likes Sandown. This is a different cup of tea but you never know how he might go.”

Race: bet365 Oaksey Chase

“I might run them both but McFabulous is also in the Select Hurdle which he won last year. Solo is also in the Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase so we will have a little look and see. His win in the Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park at the same level has worked out well with the runner-up (Datsalrightgino) winning a Grade Two at Ayr on Saturday. He loves going right handed and he loves Sandown as he has won there before so it suits him well. We have saved him for this. McFabulous has been frustrating. He had a problem the last day at Newbury when he pulled up. We found out he had an irregular heartbeat but he seems to have got over that now. He is another that likes Sandown and good ground.”

Race: bet365 Select Hurdle

“Knappers Hill definitely runs in the Select Hurdle. We thought we would keep him fresh for this after the National Spirit at Fontwell. He definitely wants a trip so the extended two miles five (furlongs) should suit him well. This will be his last run before he goes novice chasing next season and I’m excited about sending him over fences, but hopefully he can make his presence felt here first.

Race: bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle

“We also have plenty entered in the handicaps on the card including Beau Balko, Killaloan and Holetown Hero in the race that Knappers Hill won last year and all three would have a chance. We had a five-timer on the card last year so we will have to try go one better this time.”